Take a look at our information and advice about common winter virus, RSV

2 mins read

Monday 11 December 2023

Tags: bronchiolitis, RSV, winter viruses, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)

It’s officially ‘cold and flu season’ and while most colds are mild, some can become quite serious. RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is one of the most common viral causes of coughs and colds in winter. It’s highly infectious, and the main cause of breathing difficulties (bronchiolitis) in babies and young children.

Most colds caused by RSV result in mild symptoms of bronchiolitis. In more serious cases, babies and children can become unwell with breathing difficulties and need to go to hospital.

Our RSV resources

It’s important to know how to identify RSV and when to get emergency care. We have lots of resources to help.

Watch our short animation about RSV and bronchiolitis to help you spot the signs and symptoms in your baby or toddler and what action to take.

Visit our RSV page, where our health lead, Amanda, answers some of the most common questions about RSV, its main symptoms and preventative steps you can take. You can also read this information in Polish, Arabic, Somali and Welsh.

Or you can listen to our podcast all about RSV in English, Polish, Arabic, Somali and Welsh.

Read mum Becky’s story about the time her baby daughter developed serious breathing problems after catching a winter cold which developed into bronchiolitis.