Understanding RSV: Severe disease and the long term consequences

Some facts about RSV disease (respiratory syncytial virus):

RSV is the most common viral cause of the ‘common cold’ and chest infections in infants. Most babies who get RSV recover fully to normal health after 1-2 weeks, but RSV infection can sometimes worsen and lead to severe chest infections in children. There are no vaccines approved for the prevention of RSV infection in healthy children and there are no routinely used medications available for the treatment of RSV.

  • RSV is responsible for around 1 in 6 hospital admissions for children in the UK
  • RSV  is the second largest worldwide cause of deaths in children between one month and 1 year of age, most are in Asia and Africa
  • RSV infection in childhood can cause wheezing and asthma

If you are interested in finding out more, or you are interested in taking part, please contact the study team; Tel: 01865 611400, Email: resceu@ovg.ox.ac.uk, Website: snottynose.org