Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very contagious viral infection that effects the airways and lungs.

It is one of the most common causes of respiratory infections in children and can lead to serious disease.

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.

How it is spread

RSV is spread through droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.

It can spread easily from person to person.

Symptoms

A RSV infection can cause:

• a runny nose and cough
• wheezing and difficulty breathing
• a fever
• severe respiratory illnesses including:
  • bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways in the lungs)
  • pneumonia (infection of the lungs)
  • croup (infection of the voice box and wind pipe).

Vaccination

The Abrysvo vaccine protects:

• pregnant women and their baby for the first 6 months of life:
  • it passes the antibodies through the placenta to the baby
• people aged 60 and over.

If you're pregnant

When you're 28 to 36 weeks pregnant, you can get the vaccine for free.

You can get vaccinated at an antenatal clinic, community care centre, GP clinic or participating pharmacy.

For more information about vaccines during pregnancy, ask your midwife or healthcare team.

You can also read more about pregnancy and vaccinations.

If you're 60 and over

Vaccines are available from your GP clinic or participating pharmacy with a private prescription.

Medication

The Beyfortus (nirsevimab) RSV medication can help prevent infection in infants and young children.

It is free for your infant or young child if:

• you did not receive the Abrysvo vaccine during pregnancy
• you delivered him or her within 2 weeks of you receiving the Abrysvo vaccine
• they have conditions associated with risk of severe RSV disease:
  • get the list of conditions on the Australian Government's Department of Health and Aged Care website.

You can get the Beyfortus medication from maternity and paediatric hospital units in the NT.

Information for health professionals

Go to the NT Health website to find out more about:

• RSV
• the immunisation program for the RSV vaccine.

More information

For more information about RSV, go to the NCIRS website.

You can also get the RSV poster PDF (263.1 KB) and RSV vaccine fact sheet PDF (285.6 KB) for pregnant women.

Contact

Contact your nearest Centre for Disease Control. Get their contact details on the NT Health website.