As the weather cools down here in South Australia, something else starts heating up – RSV cases. Winter is peak season for this common but potentially serious virus, especially for little ones. Here’s what you need to know to keep your baby safe this winter.
What is RSV?
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It spreads easily:
Through the air when someone with RSV coughs or sneezes.
On surfaces like toys, where it can survive for several hours.
Almost all children will get RSV before their second birthday. It can affect people of all ages, but it’s particularly tricky for babies
When is RSV season in South Australia?
Each year, RSV hits South Australia hardest during winter, with the highest number of cases showing up in June and July. Around 700 cases are reported to SA Health every week during the peak of the season.
Across the country, about 12,000 babies end up in hospital every winter due to RSV. That’s a lot of little noses and lungs needing care.
How serious is RSV for babies?
For many kids, RSV might just look like a mild cold – a runny nose, cough, or slight fever. But for some, especially babies under six months or those with other health conditions, it can turn into something more serious, like:
Bronchiolitis (inflammation in the small airways of the lungs)
Pneumonia (lung infection)
Professor Nicola Spurrier, SA’s Chief Public Health Officer, explains:
“RSV can be a devastating infection in little babies, sometimes requiring prolonged hospitalisation and days of supportive care including high-flow oxygen and IV fluids.”
“Little ones take a long time to recover and it can be weeks until the cough finally resolves.”
How to protect your baby from RSV
Good hygiene and a few simple habits can go a long way:
Wash hands regularly with soap and water (at least 20 seconds).
Cover coughs and sneezes with your arm or a tissue – then bin it and wash your hands.
Don’t share cups, spoons, dummies or anything else that might carry germs.
If someone is sick, they should stay away from babies until they’re feeling better.
New in 2025: RSV immunisation options
There’s good news for parents this year – free RSV immunisations are now available in 2025:
Pregnant women can get vaccinated from 28 weeks. This helps protect your baby even before they’re born, lowering the risk of serious RSV illness by up to 70%.
Some babies may also be eligible for their own RSV immunisation after birth, available now through 30 September 2025. This is especially important for babies with certain medical conditions.
The RSV immunisation is safe to receive alongside other childhood vaccinations.
Not sure if your baby is eligible? Have a chat with your GP or immunisation provider and they can help you book in and answer any questions.
For more info, visit: sahealth.sa.gov.au/rsv
You might also be interested in
-
Winter is a beautiful season for cozy cuddles, hot drinks, and baby bumps wrapped in warm knits — but it’s also a time when illnesses like RSV, flu, and whooping cough start to rise. If you're pregnant or planning to be, there are easy ways to help protect your baby before they're even born. Why winter protection is so important As the temperature drops, cases of RSV, flu, and whooping cough go up — and babies are especially vulnerable in their first few months. Their tiny immune systems are still getting started, so infections that are mild for adults can lead to serious illness or even hospital stays for little ones. A quick guide to RSV, flu & whooping cough Here’s what you need to know about each of these winter nasties: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, talking, or touching shared surfaces (like toys).Causes cold-like symptoms: runny nose, fever, sore throat, cough.In some babies, RSV can lead to serious breathing issues, poor feeding and may require urgent care.It’s the leading reason babies are hospitalised in winter here in Australia.RSV season runs from April to September. Flu (Influenza) A serious viral infection caused by influenza A or…
-
As the weather cools down here in South Australia, something else starts heating up – RSV cases. Winter is peak season for this common but potentially serious virus, especially for little ones. Here’s what you need to know to keep your baby safe this winter. What is RSV? RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It spreads easily:Through the air when someone with RSV coughs or sneezes.On surfaces like toys, where it can survive for several hours. Almost all children will get RSV before their second birthday. It can affect people of all ages, but it's particularly tricky for babies When is RSV season in South Australia? Each year, RSV hits South Australia hardest during winter, with the highest number of cases showing up in June and July. Around 700 cases are reported to SA Health every week during the peak of the season. Across the country, about 12,000 babies end up in hospital every winter due to RSV. That’s a lot of little noses and lungs needing care. How serious is RSV for babies? For many kids, RSV might just look like a mild cold – a runny nose, cough, or slight fever. But for some,…
-
RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) might sound like just another childhood bug, but for some little ones, it can cause serious illness – especially during the colder months. Here's what to look for, when to act, and how to reduce your baby's risk. What is RSV? RSV is a very common and highly contagious virus that affects the lungs and airways. In fact, most children will catch RSV before they turn two. For many kids, RSV shows up like a cold — a runny nose, mild cough, maybe a low fever. But for babies (especially those under six months), RSV can quickly become more serious. When RSV becomes more than “just a cold” RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia (lung infection) in babies. Each winter, around 12,000 babies in Australia are admitted to hospital with RSV-related illness. Babies at the highest risk of severe illness include:Those under 6 months oldChildren with heart, lung or immune conditions Watch for these symptoms Mild RSV symptoms can include:FeverRunny or blocked noseNasal congestionEar infectionsWheezing But don’t ignore more serious signs. Call for help if your baby shows:Breathing difficultiesIrritability or trouble settlingPoor feeding or refusing to feedLethargy or…
