Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) continues to surge and is now the state\u2019s leading notifiable infectious disease, above the flu and Covid.<\/p>\n
There have been 3649 cases notified so fare this year, compared to 2194 flu cases and 3627 Covid cases.<\/p>\n
SA Health noted RSV infection is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among infants under 1 year of age.<\/p>\n
\u201cInfections may recur throughout life,\u201d SA Health warns. \u201cIn South Australia, infections are most common during autumn and winter.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost RSV cases present with a mild to moderate respiratory illness, but some groups of people may develop more severe disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cPrimary infection with RSV \u2013 most often seen in infants and young children aged under 2 years \u2013 is generally more severe than subsequent infections at older ages.<\/p>\n
\u201cVery ill children and people at risk may require admission to hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause RSV is a virus, antibiotics do not help. There are no safe and effective antiviral drugs for routine use for RSV.\u201d<\/p>\n
RSV immunisations are recommended for infants and children, adults older than 75 years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged over 60 years and for people with medical conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV disease.<\/p>\n
It is free for eligible groups but without a government subsidy costs around $300.<\/p>\n
Some victims such as John Schulz, 77, of Semaphore South, may not be aware of the disease.<\/p>\n
In June 2025, Mr Schulz became ill and needed urgent ambulance transport to Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Initially tested for Covid, he was later diagnosed with RSV \u2013 a virus he had never heard of before becoming critically ill.<\/p>\n
Mr Schulz spent four days in hospital, including 14 hours in intensive care, while medical teams worked to stabilise his breathing and reduce his elevated heart rate.<\/p>\n
Mr Schulz says he was later told he was \u201clucky to be alive.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cRSV was far worse than the flu,\u201d he said, adding it was worse than his previous experience with Covid. \u201cRSV is not just the flu \u2013 it can be a killer.\u201d <\/p>\n