How is RSV treated?

Find out when to get medical help for RSV and more about how RSV is treated and managed. 

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When to get help for RSV

Contact NHS 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment

If your baby or child is: 

  • is under three months old and has a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, or is older than three months old and has a temperature of 39 degrees Celsius or higher. You do not need to use a thermometer. If your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, feels sweaty or is shivering, then they probably have a fever 
  • has had a dry nappy for 12 or more hours, or is showing other signs of dehydration
  • is feeding or eating much less than normal
  • is unwell and they are getting worse
  • is very tired or irritable.

If you: 

  • get cold symptoms and you have a long-term medical condition, for example a heart or lung condition
  • get cold symptoms and you have a weakened immune system, for example because you’re having chemotherapy
  • you have difficulty breathing or are more breathless than usual. 

Call 999

If your child: 

  • is having difficulty breathing, they might make grunting noises, have long pauses in their breathing or their tummy might suck in under their ribs
  • has very pale, blue or grey lips or skin. On brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of your child’s hands 
  • is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

As a parent, you may know if your child seems seriously unwell and should always trust your judgement about getting help.

If you: 

  • have severe difficulty breathing. For example, if you're gasping, choking or not able to get words out
  • are floppy or are having difficulty waking up or staying awake
  • have very pale, blue or grey lips or skin. If you have brown or black skin this might be easier to see on the palms of your hands. 

What are the treatments for RSV?

There is no specific treatment for RSV, but it usually gets better on its own in one to two weeks. 

If you or your child get a more serious infection you might need treatment. Learn more about treating bronchiolitis and pneumonia.  

Managing RSV at home

There are some easy things you can do to treat RSV at home. 

Do

  • Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to lower your temperature or give children’s paracetamol or children’s ibuprofen to your child. Check if ibuprofen is suitable for you before taking it.
  • Use a salt water (saline) nasal spray or solution to rinse the inside of your nose or your child’s nose. This helps to treat a blocked nose.  
  • Stay upright as much as possible while awake, this will make it easier for you or your child to breathe. 
  • Drink a lot of fluids. If you’re caring for a baby with RSV, try giving them smaller feeds more often. 

Do not

  • Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years old. 
  • Do not smoke around children. Children who breathe in cigarette smoke are more likely to get serious RSV infections.
  • Do not try and lower your child’s temperature by sponging them with cool water or taking off their clothes. 
Did you find this information useful?

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