About RSV infection
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that infects the airways and lungs. It is highly contagious and spreads easily. The main treatment for RSV infection is rest and plenty of fluids. Regular handwashing and good personal hygiene can stop RSV from spreading.
Disease type:
Respiratory
Vaccination available under NIP:
No
Notifiable disease:
Yes
Case definitions
Prevention, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
RSV spreads between people if an infected person produces small water droplets while talking, coughing and sneezing. For information about prevention, 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).
For more on RSV in Australia, you can search Communicable Diseases Intelligence.
Last updated: