About RSV infection
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the airways and lungs. It is highly contagious. RSV spreads between people if an infected person produces small water droplets while talking, coughing and sneezing. If you have RSV you may experience:
- coughing
- a fever
- a runny or stuffy nose
- wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Most people experience a mild illness and will recover in one or 2 weeks. Some people recover easily while others get very sick. RSV infection can affect anyone but is especially serious for:
- infants aged 12 months or under
- young children or older adults with chronic health conditions.
Pregnant women will be eligible to receive this vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. For further information see Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
Case definitions
Prevention
Regular handwashing and good personal hygiene can stop RSV from spreading. For more information about prevention, see healthdirect's RSV page.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
For information about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, see healthdirect's RSV page.
Surveillance and reporting
RSV infection is a nationally notifiable disease.
We monitor cases through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). We report through:
For more on RSV in Australia, you can: