Some children get seriously ill from an RSV infection.

The risk of the child becoming seriously ill increases if any of the following apply:

• The child is younger than six months.
• The child was born prematurely.
• The child has a heart, lung or nervous system disease.

An RSV infection can look like a common cold. However, children aged less than six months can get very sick. It often takes several weeks for the child to get better.

The first symptoms of an RSV infection are usually:

• The child has a runny and stuffy nose.
• The child has a fever.
• The child has difficulty breastfeeding, eating or drinking.

Some children get very sick

Some children get very sick during the first few days. They may have difficulty breathing. This can be noticed by the following:

• The child is breathing fast.
• The child seems to have trouble breathing.

Some children may have pauses in their breathing. The child may stop breathing completely for short periods.

Severe cough

An RSV infection can cause a severe cough. The cough may get worse a few days after the child has the first symptoms.

The child may cough a lot for several weeks.

Whether you need to seek medical attention depends on your child's age and symptoms. 

Call the telephone number 1177 for advice. The people who answer are nurses. They can tell you where to seek medical attention, if necessary. 

Call +46 771 11 77 00 if you have a phone with a foreign number. 

If it is urgent 

Call 112 immediately if your child has difficulty breathing.

Here are some tips on how you can help your child:

• Give your child saline nasal spray (nässpray) or saline nasal drops (näsdroppar).
• Use a special suction device to remove mucus from your child's nose. These are available at pharmacies.
• Put your child to bed with their head placed higher than their body.
• Give your child fluids often.
• Feed your child more often than usual if they cannot eat as much at a time.

Medicines for fever

Give your child medicine for fever if they are very unwell due to the fever.

Ask the pharmacy which medicine you can use. Talk to a doctor first if your child is less than six months old.

RSV can spread when a person with an infection sneezes or coughs. This creates small droplets of virus. You can get infected if the droplets enter your body. 

RSV can also be spread when you touch an object or a person who has the virus on them, for example if you hold hands. You can get the virus in your mouth or nose if you touch your face with your hands.

Here's how you can reduce your risk of getting RSV:

• Wash your hands often.
• Keep your distance from other people, especially indoors.
• Avoid contact with people who have a cold.
• Choose outdoor activities when meeting others.

Medicines that prevent the virus

There is a medicine that protects children from getting sick with an RSV infection. All newborns can get the medicine. This applies to babies born on or after 10 September 2025. Babies receive the medicine as an injection.

Other children who are at risk of getting seriously ill can also get the medicine.

Vaccination during pregnancy

If you are pregnant, you can get vaccinated against RSV. This will protect your child until they are six months old.

Children who get very sick may need to be treated in hospital. In hospital, the child will be given fluids and nutrition.

Children who have difficulty breathing will receive help with this.