From 1 September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis each year in England. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system.
The symptoms of RSV bronchiolitis can include:
- runny or blocked nose
- breathing is difficult, fast or noisy (wheezing)
- difficulty feeding
- cough
- fever
- unsettled or difficult to comfort
- tiredness or lethargy
RSV can also cause other conditions in young children such as a barking cough (croup) and a painful infection inside the ear (otitis media).
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