Clinical Risk Factors
Children born prematurely or with certain lung or heart problems have a greater risk of getting a more serious RSV infection. Some children are particularly vulnerable if they become infected. However, there are some things you can do to avoid becoming infected. On this page you get tips on what you can do.
In most children, RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. But for babies at risk, RSV may cause serious lung infections such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis, causing tiny airways in the lungs to swell and fill with mucus, making it hard to breathe. The baby receives some protection through antibodies from the mother that pass through the placenta late in pregnancy.
What conditions cause a higher risk for serious RSV infections?
Babies born prematurely
Babies who were born prematurely (the mother's pregnancy lasted 37 weeks or less) and are 6 months of age or younger at the beginning of the RSV season.Read more...
Children with certain types of chronic lung problems
Babies or toddlers with a certain type of chronic lung problem (doctors refer to this as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or BPD) and are 24 months of age or younger. Read more...
Children with certain types of heart problems
Babies or toddlers born with certain types of heart problems (doctors refer to this as congenital heart disease, or CHD) and are 24 months of age or younger. Read more...
Environmental Risk Factors
There are other risk factors that could increase a baby's chances of getting a serious RSV lung infection. These include:
Being born smaller than usual.
Family history of asthma
Male sex
Parent or other family member smoking at home
Crowded living conditions or many siblings at home
Attending day care/ have siblings in day care or school