RSV Information

What is RSV?

RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It is a very common cause of respiratory infections in Canada, with elevated activity starting in the fall, peaking through the winter, and diminishing in the spring and summer months. Most children will have experienced at least one RSV infection before they turn two.

Symptoms of RSV are similar to those of the flu and include:

Coughing
Runny nose
Headache
Sore throat
Low-grade fever
Sneezing

For most adults and older children, an RSV infection can be managed at home by resting, drinking plenty of fluids, using a cool-mist humidifier and saline nasal rinses. However, for infants and immunocompromised children and adults, RSV can cause severe illness, including symptoms such as:

Rapid breathing
Difficulty breathing
Pneumonia
Extreme tiredness (lethargy)
In infants: difficulty feeding

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization for babies and young children. See here for more information on how RSV presents in infants, and when to seek medical attention.

What can I do to protect myself and my baby from RSV?

There are several things you can do to protect yourself and your newborn from all respiratory infections, including RSV. These measures are especially important during the fall and winter months when there are a lot of respiratory viruses circulating.

Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer before touching your baby, ask others who are holding your baby to do the same
Make sure anyone who is sick stays away from you and baby until their symptoms have cleared up
Wear a mask when you go out in crowded indoor spaces
Clean high-touch surfaces in your home (light switches, doorknobs, etc) frequently
Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands, and ask others to do the same
Do not expose your baby to cigarette smoke

Immunization for baby

RSV immunization has been available in Canada for high-risk infants (for example, those born prematurely, those with certain congenital conditions) for many years. In the last few years, all newborns born during peak-RSV season can be immunized against RSV soon after birth, not just those at very high risk. Babies born in the spring and summer months can receive a catch-up immunization in their first RSV season. This significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization from RSV.

Immunization in pregnancy

If there are no immunizations available for newborns in your region, your care provider may recommend that you be immunized between the 32^nd and 36^th weeks of your pregnancy to confer antibodies to your baby once they are born. This also provides protection for you in pregnancy, as RSV infections can be more severe in pregnant individuals.

There is no additional benefit to being immunized in pregnancy and immunizing your baby, either one or the other helps to protect your baby from RSV.