What are the symptoms of RSV?
RSV symptoms are similar to a cold. They include:
- a runny or blocked nose
- sneezing
- coughing
- tiredness
- wheezing
- breathlessness
- a high temperature (fever).
In babies and children, RSV symptoms can also cause difficulty feeding.
RSV can cause bronchiolitis in babies, and pneumonia in babies and older adults.
Find out more about getting help for, managing and treating RSV.
How serious is RSV?
RSV is usually not serious.
It is very common in babies and young children. Up to 9 in 10 children will get RSV before they turn two years old.
In older adults, around 175,000 people over the age of 65 go to their GP about RSV each year.
Some people are more at risk of getting seriously ill, including:
• babies under six months old
• children who were born prematurely
• adults over 75 years old
• babies, children and older adults with weakened immune systems or long-term lung or heart conditions.
This is because RSV can cause bronchiolitis in babies and young children. It can also cause pneumonia in younger children and older adults.