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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): guidance, data and analysis

These documents provide advice on the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, management and epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an enveloped RNA virus and is in the same family as the human parainfluenza viruses and mumps and measles viruses. RSV is one of the common viruses that cause coughs and colds in winter.

RSV usually causes mild respiratory infection in adults and children, but it can be severe in infants who are at increased risk of acute lower respiratory tract infection. RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis in children aged under 2 years.

Public Health England monitors levels of RSV activity in England and Wales and publishes information throughout the RSV season.

Diagnosis, treatment and management

Read the UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) statement on RSV immunisation and the Timing of monoclonal antibody for seasonal RSV prophylaxis in the United Kingdom report.

Epidemiology

For up to date information on RSV circulation, see the weekly national flu reports below.

Research and analysis

Vaccination

Updates to this page

Published 22 September 2008
Last updated 9 December 2015 + show all updates
  1. Added 'respiratory tract infections: infection control' guidance.

  2. First published.