When a cold can turn deadly
Hospital admissions for people with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have jumped by 61 per cent in a week, driven by children under the age of five, new data shows.
Some 1.92 people per 100,000 of the population in England were admitted to hospital with RSV symptoms in the week to Sunday 3 November, compared to 1.19 the previous week, according to the latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Meanwhile, the proportion of those with symptoms testing positive for RSV in the national laboratory reporting system increased by 37 per cent over the same period, rising from a “positivity rate” of 5.2 per cent to 7.1 per cent.
For the under-5s the positivity rate was 30.9 per cent in the week to 3 November, according to UKHSA.
Although these positivity rate figures don’t give a precise indication of the number of RSV infections in the general population, they do give a reasonable sense of the degree to which cases are rising or falling – while the situation in England is a good indicator of the UK as a whole, scientists said.
It is not unusual for RSV cases to spike at this time of year as the colder weather forces people together indoors – but the UKHSA said it was nonetheless important to be vigilant.
“RSV is now circulating at higher levels, particularly amongst those aged 5 years old and under,” said Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA.
“And as we are also now seeing more emergency department attendances caused by RSV, it’s important to be able to spot the signs.
“If your baby has a cold that is getting worse, or that is causing unusual breathing or problems feeding, call NHS 111 or contact your GP practice. As a parent trust your judgement and if your baby seems seriously unwell please go to A&E or call 999,” he said.
What is RSV?
RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds, affecting the lungs.
Symptoms include a cough, sore throat and cold and most people get it several times during their life.
It usually gets better by itself, but in some people – especially babies and older adults – it can cause illnesses such as pneumonia (a lung infection) and bronchiolitis (a chest infection that affects babies).
These illnesses can cause serious breathing problems that may need to be treated in hospital and can be life-threatening.
Rhinovirus, the other most common cause of the common cold, can also be fatal very occasionally – again by causing pneumonia and bronchiolitis and by contributing to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Getting RSV can also make your symptoms worse if you have a lung condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD).
How to avoid catching and spreading RSV
RSV is spread in the coughs and sneezes of someone who has the virus.
There are some things you can do to reduce your chances of getting it or spreading it to anyone else, such as:
- Wash or wipe down toys and clean surfaces regularly
- Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- Use disposable tissues and throw them away as soon as you’ve used them
- Try to keep newborn babies away from anyone with a cold or the flu – especially if they were born prematurely or have serious health conditions
Is there a vaccination for RSV?
Yes and the NHS is offering it free to some people for the first time this year. Babies cannot be vaccinated but pregnant women can be – and this can give them some protection in early life.
“For the first time this year, vaccination is being offered against RSV as well as for flu and Covid. Ahead of the peak season, eligible groups are reminded to get vaccinated as it offers the best protection heading into winter,” said UKHSA’s Dr Bernal.
Since 1 September, pregnant women have been offered RSV vaccination around the time of their 28-week antenatal appointment.
Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help build a good level of antibodies to pass on to their baby before birth, the UKHSA says.
This will give the newborn baby the best protection, including if they are born early.
Those aged 75 to 79 are also eligible for a free NHS vaccine to protect them from RSV.
Asked in September why over-80s weren’t eligible for a free vaccine, Dr Mary Ramsay, director of public health programmes at the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), told Saga magazine: “Based on expert advice from the JCVI [Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation], the government decides which groups will be eligible for free NHS vaccines.
“Their decision was based on the latest available evidence at that time, including how long protection lasts and how common RSV infection is within different age groups, and they concluded that there is limited evidence of the vaccine being effective in those aged over 80.”
“The JCVI will continue to keep the evidence under review,” she added.
Despite this limited evidence, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which performs a similar role to UKHSA in the US, does recommend it for the over-80s.
It recommends the RSV vaccine for the following people:
- Adults 75 and older: All adults in this age group should get the vaccine.
- Adults 60-74: Adults in this age group should get the vaccine if they have a higher risk of severe RSV disease. Risk factors include:
- Chronic heart or lung disease
- Weakened immune system
- Other medical conditions, such as diabetes or obesity
- Living in a nursing home
People who are eligible for the RSV vaccine will be contacted by the NHS.
For those people who are not eligible and want to have a vaccine privately, Boots is offering the jab for £245, recommending it to over-60s and pregnant women. Superdrug does not offer it.
Meanwhile, independent pharmacists are offering the jab through the Pharmadoctor scheme – at a higher cost of £300 to £350 depending on the pharmacy.
