Infants are at high risk of RSV infection due to
immature immune systems 1

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Newborns under 6 months of age – especially those under 3 months.8
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Premature or low birth weight infants8.
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Children under 2 years with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease8.

Disease Burden

Children under 5 years of age
3,6 million RSV-related hospitalizations
occur globally each year in children under 5 6
Approximately 45,700
deaths annually
in infants aged 0–6 months worldwide 7
75% of RSV hospitalizations
involve children who were previously healthy and had no underlying conditions 8
(Based on 115,000 RSV hospitalizations in Australia from 2016–2019)
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Children under 5 years of age
51.5% of RSV hospitalizations
occur in infants under 6 months 2
Infants under 6 months often require 5:
  • Supplemental oxygen therapy
  • Intravenous fluids (if unable to eat or drink)
  • Mechanical ventilation for respiratory support
  • Most infants recover with supportive care and can be discharged after a few days.
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Children under 5 years of age
Long-term effects of RSV 20:
  • Persistent wheezing
  • Chronic asthma
  • Reduced lung function during the first 10 years of life, which may extend into adolescence or adulthood

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Economic Burden 9

Children under 5 years old
High hospitalization costs
$28,586 USD
per RSV-related hospitalization
1.5× higher than the cost of a standard medical visit ($18,056) (U.S. data)
Emergency & outpatient costs
$2,099
per RSV-related emergency or outpatient visit
5× higher than the cost of a regular check-up ($409) (U.S. data)
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Transmission of RSV

RSV spreads easily, especially among siblings and family members.
Therefore, the risk of RSV infection in infants begins from birth 11.
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Person-to-person contact via droplets from coughing and sneezing
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Close contact such as kissing, hugging, or handshaking
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Touching virus-contaminated surfaces like doorknobs or toys

Signs and Severe Symptoms
of RSV in Children 12, 22

When RSV infection becomes severe, it can lead to lower respiratory tract infections.
If your child shows any of the following signs, seek medical attention immediately:
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Difficulty breathing – chest retractions below or between the ribs and/or lower neck
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Rapid breathing – more than 40 breaths per minute
Head bobbing – grunting sounds while breathing
Bluish skin or discoloration around the mouth and eyes
Flaring nostrils, wheezing
Apnea – pauses in breathing lasting more than 10 seconds
Important note: RSV can worsen quickly and unpredictably.
If you suspect your child has a severe RSV infection, go to a medical facility immediately12.

Prevention 8,13

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Avoid touching your face
Avoid close contact with people who have cold symptoms
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Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing
Protect infants aged 0–6 months through maternal antibodies during pregnancy
Wash your hands frequently and properly
Consult a healthcare professional

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Immunity During Pregnancy
Adaptive Mechanisms and the Role in Fetal Protection

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During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes special changes in the immune system to protect both the mother from illness and support the safe development of the fetus 14.
  • The antibodies produced in the mother’s body that help protect the baby are known as passive immunity.
  • This passive immunity helps shield newborns during the first few months of life—when their immune systems are still immature 15.
  • These maternal antibodies are transferred to the baby through the placenta, with the highest concentration occurring during the last three months of pregnancy 15.
Understanding this immune mechanism allows for better care of both mother and baby throughout pregnancy and after birth.

How does it work? 15,16

The maternal immune system is activated to produce protective antibodies.
These antibodies cross the placenta and reach the fetus.
At birth, the baby benefits from this maternal-derived immunity.

Maternal Antibody-Boosting Interventions During Pregnancy 17,18

Engage in light physical activity (as advised by your doctor)
Manage stress through relaxation techniques
Maintain good hygiene practices
Ensure adequate sleep
Receive recommended vaccinations e.g., influenza, Tdap, RSV, COVID-19

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Discuss with your doctor

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01
Is enhancing maternal antibody levels safe for both mother and baby?
02
How much protection will the baby receive from maternal immunity?
03
What are the available strategies to support immune health during pregnancy?
04
When is the best time during pregnancy to implement these strategies?

Frequently Asked Questions
about RSV for Children

01
What is RSV and why are young children more vulnerable? 1,3
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a common virus that causes a range of illnesses—from mild upper respiratory infections to serious lower respiratory conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Infants, especially those under 6 months old, are at higher risk due to their underdeveloped immune systems.
02
What are the symptoms of RSV in children?
Symptoms include runny nose, cough, sneezing, fever, wheezing, poor appetite, and fatigue.
In severe cases, children may experience rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, or bluish skin around the mouth and eyes 12.
03
When should I take my child to the doctor or hospital?
Seek immediate medical attention if your child shows signs of rapid or labored breathing, bluish skin around the mouth or eyes, or pauses in breathing (apnea) 12.
04
Can children get RSV more than once?
Yes. Natural immunity after RSV infection is short-lived, and reinfection can occur throughout life 21.
05
Is there a way to protect children from RSV?
Yes. Frequent handwashing, avoiding contact with sick individuals, and keeping toys clean are important preventive measures. Additionally, babies can receive protective antibodies from their mothers through the placenta during pregnancy 5,18. For detailed guidance on appropriate prevention strategies, please consult a healthcare professional.
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REFERENCE
  1. 1. Malloy, A. M. W., Falsey, A. R., & Ruckwardt, T. J. (2013). Consequences of Immature and Senescent Immune Responses for Infection with Respiratory Syncytial Virus. In L. J. Anderson & B. S. Graham (Eds.), Challenges and Opportunities for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines (pp. 211–231). Springer. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-38919-1_11
  2. 2. Saravanos, G. L., Sheel, M., Homaira, N., Dey, A., Brown, E., Wang, H., Macartney, K., & Wood, N. J. (2019). Respiratory syncytial virus‐associated hospitalisations in Australia, 2006–2015. Medical Journal of Australia, 210(10), 447–453. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.5694/mja2.50159
  3. 3. Yale Medicine. (2025). RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) – Fact Sheets. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus
  4. 4. Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. (2025). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) factsheet. Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-factsheet
  5. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). RSV in Infants and Young Children. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.html
  6. 6. World Health Organization. (2025). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/respiratory-syncytial-virus-(rsv)
  7. 7. Li, Y., Wang, X., Blau, D. M., Caballero, M. T., Feikin, D. R., Gill, C. J., ... & Nair, H. (2022). Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in children younger than 5 years in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet, 399(10340), 2047–2064. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00478-0/fulltext
  8. 8. National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS). (2025). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Frequently asked questions (FAQs). Retrieved June 9, 2025, from https://ncirs.org.au/ncirs-fact-sheets-faqs-and-other-resources/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-frequently-asked
  9. 9. Tran, P. T., Nduaguba, S. O., Wang, Y., Diaby, V., Finelli, L., Choi, Y., & Winterstein, A. G. (2024). Economic Burden of Medically Attended Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections Among Privately Insured Children Under 5 Years of Age in the USA. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses, 18:e13347. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/irv.13347
  10. 10. Fauroux, B., Simoes, E. A. F., Checchia, P. A., Paes, B., Figueras-Aloy, J., Manzoni, P., Bont, L., & Carbonell-Estrany, X. (2017). Respiratory Syncytial Virus Spectrum of Clinical Manifestations and Complications in Children. Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 6(2), 173–197. Retrieved from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40121-017-0151-4
  1. 11. Heikkinen, T., Valkonen, H., Waris, M., & Ruuskanen, O. (2015). Transmission of respiratory syncytial virus infection within families. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2(1), ofu118. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25884006/
  2. 12. Immunisation Foundation of Australia. (2025). Unite Against RSV – RSV in Children. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://www.ifa.org.au/uniteagainstrsv/aboutrsv/rsvinchildren
  3. 13. American Lung Association. (2025). RSV Prevention and Treatment. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/treatment
  4. 14. Abu-Raya, B., Michalski, C., Sadarangani, M., & Lavoie, P. M. (2020). Maternal immunological adaptation during normal pregnancy. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 575197. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.575197
  5. 15. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. (2019). Development of the immune system. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/vaccine-education-center/human-immune-system/development-immune-system
  6. 16. Albrecht, M., & Arck, P. C. (2020). Vertically transferred immunity in neonates: Mothers, mechanisms and mediators. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, 555. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00555
  7. 17. Medicover Hospitals. (2024, July 30). Expert guide to boosting immunity during pregnancy. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.medicoverhospitals.in/articles/boosting-immunity-during-pregnancy
  8. 18. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). About vaccines and pregnancy. Retrieved August 22, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-pregnancy/about/index.html
  9. 19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2025). Clinical Overview of RSV. Retrieved August 18, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html
  10. 20. Fauroux, B., Simões, E. A. F., Checchia, P. A., Paes, B., Figueras-Aloy, J., Manzoni, P., Bont, L., & Carbonell-Estrany, X. (2017). The burden and long-term respiratory morbidity associated with respiratory syncytial virus infection in early childhood. Infectious Diseases and Therapy, 6(2), 173–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40121-017-0151-4
  11. 21. Immunisation Foundation of Australia. (2025). Unite Against RSV - About RSV. Retrieved 10/06/2025, from https://www.ifa.org.au/uniteagainstrsv/aboutrsv
  12. 22. American Lung Association. RSV in babies and young children. Accessed September 8, 2025, from https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/babies