What is RSV? Symptoms, complications and when parents should seek medical help

Published

2 years ago

November 22, 2023

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RSV circulates in the UK every winter, typically starting in October and peaking in December or January.

The virus, which mostly affects young children, is normally mild. But it can develop into a more serious illness and require hospital treatment.

During the past two winters, cases were higher than usual after pandemic measures in previous years suppressed cases – meaning children had much lower immunity.

Here is what you need to know.

What is RSV?

RSV is short for respiratory syncytial virus.

It is a very common virus and most children will have had it by the time they are two.

However, it can reinfect older children and adults may also catch it. Older adults are particularly at risk of complications.

What are the symptoms of RSV?

Most children infected with RSV will only experience mild symptoms, including:

• runny nose
• decrease in appetite
• coughing
• sneezing
• fever
• wheezing

These symptoms usually come in stages, rather than all at once. In very young children, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity, and breathing difficulties.

What are the possible complications?

RSV can cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis, which mainly affects children under two.

It is usually mild and can be treated at home, according to the NHS, but it can be serious.

Bronchiolitis is not the same as bronchitis, which causes a cough with lots of mucus and can affect people of all ages.

The symptoms of bronchiolitis include:

• breathing more quickly
• finding it difficult to feed or eat
• noisy breathing (wheezing)
• becoming irritable

Symptoms are usually worst between days three and five, and the cough usually gets better in three weeks, the NHS says.

Some children have a higher risk of getting seriously ill with bronchiolitis, including children born very prematurely, those with a heart or lung condition or a weakened immune system.

About 3 in 100 babies with bronchiolitis will need hospital treatment, according to Asthma + Lung UK.

RSV results in 20 to 30 infant deaths per year in the UK, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

When should you seek treatment?

The NHS advises parents to call 999 or go to A&E if any of the following happens:

• your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises or their tummy sucking under their ribs
• there are pauses when your child breathes
• your child’s skin, tongue or lips are blue
• your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake.

Parents should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if any of the following happens:

• your child has had a cold and it’s getting worse
• your child is feeding or eating much less than normal
• your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration
• your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38C or more, or is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39C or higher
• your baby feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest, or feels sweaty
• your child is very tired or irritable.

What treatment is available?

There is no specific treatment for RSV and instead treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms.

The anti-viral drug ribavirin has been licensed for treating RSV and is sometimes used in severe cases, but its effectiveness has not been established.

At home, symptoms of RSV and bronchiolitis can be treated with child paracetamol or ibuprofen. Saline nasal drops may make it easier for them to breathe, and feeding babies upright can also help.

In hospital, a child with bronchiolitis may be given extra oxygen. If they are struggling to feed, they may be given food or fluids through a feeding tube. They may also be treated with nasal suction to get rid of excess mucus in the nostrils.

Is there a vaccine?

A vaccine to prevent RSV in infants and toddlers, Beyfortus (nirsevimab), was approved by the UK’s medicines regulator in November 2022.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also approved a vaccine, Arexvy, for people over 60 in July.

But the vaccines are not yet available as part of a national immunisation programme.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) said in June that a cost-effective RSV immunisation programme should be developed for infants and older adults – but there was no timeline for when it might be brought in.

UK

Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to ‘beautiful soul’ as teen appears in court charged with murder

Published

3 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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Family of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe pay tribute to 'beautiful soul' as teen appears in court charged with murder

The family of a nine-year-old girl stabbed to death have said she was a “beautiful soul” who was brave, kind-hearted and “always put a smile on people’s faces”.

Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, just before 6.10pm on Monday, where Aria Thorpe had suffered a single stab wound.

The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a tribute released by Avon and Somerset Police on Friday, the girl’s family on her mother’s side said: “For those who didn’t have the privilege of knowing Aria, she was the most beautiful little soul – happy-go-lucky, full of light, and joy.

“She loved to sing and dance, and she took such pride in dressing up, always wanting to look just like her mummy.”

Tom Thorpe, the girl’s father, said: “It’s hard to put into words how devastating it is, our little Aria, that you’re up there with the angels looking over us.”

It comes as a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared in court.

Aria was a ‘precious girl’

In their statement, Aria’s family on her mother’s side said her death “has devastated us beyond words”.

“Our hearts are broken in a way we never imagined possible,” they added.

“As a family, we are holding one another close and doing everything we can to support each other through this unimaginable time.”

They said they were “truly touched by the lovely messages we have received”, before asking “that our privacy is respected, as we try to come to terms with the terrible loss of our precious girl”.

‘Wacky ways and outright madness’

Mr Thorpe said: “How sad it’s going to be not hearing ‘Dad, how long left?’ on our long journeys back and forth at weekends.

He then said that Aria was “such a brave, kind-hearted and a beautiful innocent soul”, and “always put a smile on people’s faces with your wacky ways and just outright madness”.

Mr Thorpe added: “Your other little family down here in Portsmouth will forever miss you.

“We’ll miss you begging to go outside, even in the pouring rain just to have as much fun as possible in the little time we had at weekends.

“You will be greatly missed, you special little angel. A life gone far too early but I hope a life lived well. We all love you dearly. Goodnight darling.”

Teenager in court

Meanwhile, a 15-year-old boy charged with Aria’s murder appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, where he was remanded.

The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, was arrested in the Somerset village of Worle at 6.19pm on Monday.

He is next due in court on 16 March 2026. Appearing via video link from youth detention accommodation, he spoke only to confirm his name.

Judge Peter Blair KC set a provisional trial date for 15 June during the hearing.

UK

David Walliams dropped by publisher HarperCollins UK

Published

5 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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David Walliams dropped by publisher HarperCollins UK

David Walliams has been dropped by his publisher HarperCollins UK.

A spokesperson for the company said that “after careful consideration, and under the leadership of its new CEO, HarperCollins UK has decided not to publish any new titles” from Walliams.

“HarperCollins takes employee well-being extremely seriously and has processes in place for reporting and investigating concerns,” the spokesperson added.

“To respect the privacy of individuals, we do not comment on internal matters.”

The publisher announced in October that it had appointed Kate Elton as its new chief executive, following the departure of former boss Charlie Redmayne.

The 54-year-old, who shot to fame with the BBC sketch show Little Britain, is one of the country’s best-selling children’s authors.

He has written more than 40 books, which have sold more than 60 million copies worldwide and been translated into 55 languages, according to his website.

His first children’s book, The Boy in the Dress, was published by HarperCollins in 2008.

Walliams is also known for Come Fly With Me, another BBC sketch show, and was formerly part of the judging panel for Britain’s Got Talent.

He was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to charity and the arts.

Walliams has been contacted for comment.

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UK

Teenager to face trial over murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe

Published

6 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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A teenager charged with the murder of nine-year-old Aria Thorpe will stand trial in June next year.

The 15-year-old boy, who cannot be named because of his age, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday.

The defendant, who appeared via video link from youth detention accommodation, spoke only to confirm his name.

During a brief hearing, Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, set a provisional trial date for 15 June 2026.

The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Avon and Somerset Police were called to Lime Close in Weston-super-Mare just before 6.10pm on Monday, where nine-year-old Aria had suffered a single stab wound.

The boy was arrested in nearby Worle a short time later.

His father was among those attending in the public gallery.

The teenager is next expected to appear in court on 16 March.