Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cold-like illness that spreads easily, especially during winter months. While most children get mild cases by age two, some babies and elderly people can get very sick and need hospital care. Swedish health experts just updated their guidelines on how to prevent and treat RSV. The good news: new preventive medicines and vaccines can significantly reduce severe illness. This update focuses on using a long-lasting preventive medicine called nirsevimab for vulnerable infants, vaccinating pregnant women to protect newborns, and vaccinating older adults—all proven strategies to keep the most at-risk people healthy during RSV season.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How to best prevent and treat RSV (a contagious respiratory virus) in babies, children, and elderly people based on the latest scientific evidence
  • Who participated: This is a guideline review by Swedish health experts, not a traditional research study with participants. It summarizes recommendations for infants, children with health conditions, and elderly people at risk for severe RSV
  • Key finding: A preventive medicine called nirsevimab and vaccines for pregnant women and elderly people are the most effective ways to stop severe RSV disease and prevent hospital visits
  • What it means for you: If you have a newborn or elderly family member, talk to your doctor about RSV prevention options during winter months. These new guidelines suggest preventive treatments are worth considering for vulnerable people, though availability may vary by location

The Research Details

This is not a traditional research study but rather an official guideline update created by Sweden’s Medical Products Agency expert group. The experts reviewed all available scientific evidence about RSV prevention and treatment published through mid-2025. They examined studies on preventive medicines (monoclonal antibodies), vaccines, and treatment approaches to determine what works best for different age groups and risk levels.

The guideline process involved experts evaluating the strength of evidence for each recommendation. They considered factors like how well treatments work, safety, cost-effectiveness, and practical availability. The guidelines were updated twice—in May 2024 and again in June 2025—to include the newest information about RSV prevention and treatment options.

This type of guideline is important because it helps doctors make consistent, evidence-based decisions about patient care. Rather than each doctor deciding independently, these official recommendations ensure that vulnerable people receive the best available protection during RSV season.

Guidelines like these are crucial because they translate complex scientific research into clear recommendations that doctors can use in real practice. RSV is a serious threat to very young babies and elderly people, so having clear, updated guidance helps ensure these vulnerable groups get the best protection available. The guideline approach also helps countries allocate limited medical resources to the people who need them most.

This guideline carries significant weight because it comes from Sweden’s official medical authority and was created by expert panels. The recommendations are based on systematic review of published research rather than single studies. The fact that it was updated twice in one year shows the experts are keeping current with new evidence. However, readers should note that guidelines can vary between countries based on local resources and healthcare systems, so recommendations may differ elsewhere.

What the Results Show

The Swedish experts confirmed that RSV is a highly contagious seasonal virus that almost all children catch by age two, usually with mild cold-like symptoms. However, certain groups face serious risk: very young infants (especially under 3 months), babies born prematurely, children with chronic health conditions, and frail elderly people can develop severe disease requiring hospitalization.

The most important finding is that preventive treatment with monoclonal antibodies—specifically a newer long-acting medicine called nirsevimab—significantly reduces the risk of severe RSV disease and hospital admission in vulnerable infants. This medicine is preferred over an older option called palivizumab because it lasts longer and requires fewer doses.

The guidelines also highlight that vaccinating pregnant women during pregnancy protects newborns from severe RSV, with protection levels similar to monoclonal antibody treatment. For elderly people, vaccination is identified as the most effective prevention strategy. Importantly, the experts found that once RSV disease develops, there is no effective antiviral medicine—treatment focuses on supportive care like ensuring adequate nutrition and oxygen if needed.

The guidelines recommend that basic preventive measures remain important: hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick people, and keeping infants away from crowds during RSV season. If preventive medicine supplies are limited, the highest-risk infants should receive priority. The experts also note that hospitalized children should avoid unnecessary medical procedures and instead receive minimal, focused care. Universal preventive treatment for all infants would reduce illness burden for families and society, though cost and supply considerations may affect implementation.

These updated guidelines reflect significant progress in RSV prevention compared to previous years. The introduction of nirsevimab represents an advance over older monoclonal antibody options because it requires fewer doses and provides longer protection. The new emphasis on maternal vaccination during pregnancy is a relatively recent development in RSV prevention strategy. These recommendations align with emerging international consensus that prevention through vaccines and monoclonal antibodies is more effective than trying to treat established RSV disease.

As a guideline document rather than original research, this update summarizes evidence from other studies but doesn’t present new data. The recommendations are based on research available through mid-2025, so newer studies may emerge. Implementation of these guidelines depends on local healthcare resources and funding decisions—not all countries may have equal access to nirsevimab or maternal vaccines. The guideline is specific to Sweden’s healthcare system, so recommendations may need adjustment for other countries with different resources and disease patterns.

The Bottom Line

For vulnerable infants (especially under 3 months or with risk factors): Discuss RSV preventive medicine (nirsevimab) with your pediatrician during RSV season (typically fall/winter). Confidence level: High—strong evidence supports this approach. For pregnant women: Ask your doctor about RSV vaccination during pregnancy to protect your newborn. Confidence level: Moderate to High—evidence is strong but recommendations are still being finalized in some regions. For elderly people: Get RSV vaccination if recommended by your healthcare provider. Confidence level: High—vaccination is proven effective. For all groups: Practice basic hygiene (hand washing) and avoid close contact with sick people, especially around vulnerable individuals. Confidence level: High—these measures reduce transmission.

Parents of newborns and infants under 12 months, especially those born prematurely or with health conditions, should prioritize discussing RSV prevention with their pediatrician. Pregnant women should ask about RSV vaccination. Adults over 60, particularly those in nursing homes or with chronic health conditions, should discuss RSV vaccination with their doctor. Healthcare providers caring for vulnerable populations should be aware of these updated guidelines. People caring for elderly relatives should understand RSV risks and prevention options. Most healthy children and adults do not need special RSV prevention measures, as they typically experience only mild illness.

RSV prevention works best when started before RSV season begins (typically September through March in Northern Hemisphere). Monoclonal antibody protection develops within days of administration. Maternal vaccination should occur during pregnancy (typically third trimester) to provide newborn protection from birth. Vaccine protection in elderly people develops over weeks. Basic hygiene measures provide immediate protection. Benefits of prevention are most noticeable during peak RSV season when the virus circulates most actively.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track RSV prevention status: Log dates when preventive medicines (nirsevimab) are administered or vaccines are received. Note any cold symptoms in vulnerable family members and monitor whether they require medical care. Track hand hygiene practices during RSV season with daily check-ins.
  • Set reminders before RSV season to schedule preventive medicine appointments for at-risk infants. Create a family hygiene routine during RSV season (designated handwashing times, avoiding sick contacts). Schedule maternal RSV vaccination during pregnancy planning. Set reminders for elderly family members to get RSV vaccination.
  • During RSV season, monitor vulnerable family members for cold symptoms (cough, runny nose, fever) and track whether symptoms progress to requiring medical care. Compare illness severity and hospitalization rates in years with and without preventive treatment. Track vaccination status and timing for all family members. Monitor adherence to preventive measures like hand hygiene.

This summary describes official Swedish health guidelines for RSV prevention and treatment. These guidelines are recommendations based on current evidence and may not apply identically in all countries or healthcare systems. RSV prevention and treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your personal healthcare provider, who can assess your individual or your family member’s specific risk factors and medical history. The availability of preventive medicines and vaccines varies by location and healthcare system. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. If you or a family member develops symptoms of RSV (cough, runny nose, difficulty breathing, fever), contact your healthcare provider for evaluation and guidance.