RSV & Breathing Problems: FAQs, Symptoms, Recommendations and Resources
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is the most common virus affecting premature babies, and the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infection, which can lead to neonatal breathing problems.
Respiratory viruses are a common worry for parents because premature babies are more at risk of serious complications, including neonatal breathing problems. Sometimes, premature babies with a respiratory illness must be re-admitted to the hospital. The CPBF has resources to help parents learn about common causes of respiratory illness, including RSV.
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Learn more about how to reduce the risk of common respiratory illnesses to your baby.
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What is RSV?Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a virus that causes cold and flu-like illness. For most healthy adults, RSV might feel like a cold. But RSV in babies and young children can be more serious.
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How common is RSV in babies?RSV is very common in babies and children. Almost all babies and children will have had an RSV infection by the time they are 2. RSV is most common in the fall and winter months.
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How do babies get RSV?The RSV virus spreads through droplets produced by coughs and sneezes. The most common way we get sick from RSV is by touching our nose, eyes and mouth with germs on our hands. RSV can live on surfaces for many hours. Premature babies are especially at risk of RSV because they have trouble fighting infections.
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Can I prevent my baby from getting RSV?Most babies and young children will get RSV sometime during the first two years of life. It is important to protect all babies, especially premature babies, from RSV as best we can during their first winter. Here are some ways you can help prevent your baby from getting RSV: Always wash your hands with soap and water before you touch your baby. Wash your hands after you blow your nose, sneeze, or cough. Do not smoke or let others smoke around your baby or in your home. Keep your baby away from anyone who is sick. If you are sick, do not kiss your baby. Keep your baby away from crowded places such as daycare centers, shopping malls, and large family gatherings. Ask your healthcare provider if your baby should get RSV prevention medicine
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How sick can my baby get from RSV?RSV will cause a bad cold for most babies. Some babies will get very sick from RSV. Babies born very prematurely, with breathing problems, certain heart problems or other medical conditions, are at the highest risk of getting very sick. RSV can cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis, serious lung and airway complications. If this happens, most babies need to be admitted to the hospital, and some need oxygen or breathing help.
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What are the signs and symptoms of RSV in babies?Some babies with RSV will only have cold symptoms like a runny nose. Other symptoms of RSV include: Fever Cough Problems with breathing (fast breathing or working hard to breathe) Whistling or wheezing noise when breathing Trouble feeding
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What should I do if my baby gets sick with a cold?Always call your baby's healthcare provider if your baby seems sick, is not eating well, is irritable, and has a runny nose If your baby has a fever or a cough, go to the hospital If your baby looks blue, has difficulty breathing, or stops breathing, call 911
Parent Letter
In collaboration with parents, we have created a letter to download, adapt and share with your family and friends. The letter is helpful in explaining to everyone why you are being extra careful when you bring your preemie home.
Podcasts
Tune into "With You in the NICU" podcasts to hear from experts, who will discuss many of the questions and concerns NICU parents often have.
Preemie Chats
Free online events covering a host of Preemie-focused topics
LIVE - Preemie Chats - Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - August 30 at 1 pm EDT
LIVE - Preemie Chats Special Edition - RSV
LIVE - Preemie Chats - RSV Burden on Preterm Babies: Prevention and New Approaches
LIVE - Micro Preemies with Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)
Preemie Chats - How to protect your baby this winter
Parent Handbook
CBPF Parent Handbook, "Common Respiratory Ilnesses: Reducing the Risk"
This parent handbook was carefully developed by healthcare experts in the field of neonatal care. The information about common respiratory illnesses (including RSV) is thoughtfully presented in consultation with parents of preemie babies. See a page here.
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PDF format 978 KB (16 pages)
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PDF format 957 KB (16 pages)
Infographic: Why Premature Babies are more at Risk
Premature babies are at higher risk of becoming very sick. Read why.
Respiratory viruses bring us familiar cold symptoms that last a few days to a week for most people, but these same viruses may cause more serious illness in babies. Premature babies are at higher risk of becoming very sick.
PDF format 422 KB (1 page)
A Sneak Peek from the New Parent Handbook of Common Respiratory Ilnesses: Reducing the Risk
Why preemies are at risk of becoming more sick with RSV:
Immature lungs. The lungs are among the last organs to develop before birth. Antibodies are proteins made in the body by a special type of white blood cell. They protect against viruses and bacteria that can make us sick, and help us to fight infections.
Protective antibodies that fight infection are passed from the mother across the placenta, mostly in the last few months of pregnancy. The premature baby misses out on the full amount of these antibodies and may also have difficulty producing their own.
For more information, visit www.rsvshield.ca
NEW! RSV Prevention Protocols and Injection Criteria
RSV injections are not vaccines; they are antibodies which help protect high-risk babies from RSV. Eligibility criteria is based on recommendations by the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Immunization Guide. Each province and territory has its own eligibility criteria. Please see the individual links for more information.
Palivizumab and nirsevimab are the two antibody injections available in Canada that your baby may qualify for. These are not vaccines.
Palivizumab is a monthly injection during baby's first RSV season. This antibody protects for the full RSV season when given every month. Every Province and Territory has their own criteria. See below.
Nirsevimab is one injection at the start of baby's first RSV season. This antibody protects for the full RSV season. This is for all babies born in 2024 and is only available in Quebec and Ontario. In Ontario this includes all infants born during and outside of the RSV season and children under 2 years of age with high-risk medical conditions. Some babies born in 2023 may qualify. Please consult your healthcare provider.
More information can be found in our NEW! RSV Infographic.
Alberta
www.albertahealthservices.ca/assets/info/hp/rsv/if-hp-rsv-criteria.pdf
British Columbia
https://immunizebc.ca/vaccines/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv
Manitoba
Email to: rsvprogram@exchange.hsc.mb.ca
New Brunswick
Email to: Sophie.TraerMacKinnon@gnb.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
https://publichealthlab.ca/reportingname/rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus/
Northwest Territories
Communications Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 1320 Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9 Phone 867-767-9052, ext. 49034 hsscommunications@gov.nt.ca
Nova Scotia
www.iwk.nshealth.ca/palivizumab/provincial-guidelines/indications-for-use
Nunavut
www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/nunavut_synagis_protocol_season_2019_1.pdf
Ontario
www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/drugs/funded_drug/fund_respiratory.aspx
Prince Edward Island
www.iwk.nshealth.ca/palivizumab/provincial-guidelines/indications-for-use
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Eligibility criteria is based on recommendations by the Canadian Pediatric Society and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Immunization Guide. Each province and territory has its own eligibility criteria which varies. Choose your province to read the guidelines. If you have further questions, speak to your baby's doctor.
RSV Survey Report
