A disease respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is said to be a major cause of respiratory illness and death, in young infants.
A small cough, a runny nose, and a slightly grumpy baby who doesn’t want their bottle — it all seems normal this time of year, until it suddenly isn’t.
Doctors are warning South African families to pay closer attention to RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), a common respiratory virus that infects almost all children before the age of two. While it often starts off looking mild, RSV can quickly become serious in babies, especially those younger than six months. That’s the scary part.
It doesn’t announce its presence dramatically. One minute your baby is sniffling. A few hours later, they are breathing faster, refusing feeds, and struggling to sleep comfortably. For exhausted parents already juggling winter bugs and overcrowded clinics, it can be difficult to know when to panic and when to wait it out.
With RSV currently active in South Africa alongside flu season, health experts say awareness matters more than ever. The virus is one of the leading causes of severe chest infections in infants and can lead to bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and hospitalisation.
