So far this season, 588 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported. The most cases are found in the age groups under 1 year and over 74 years, according to the Public Health Agency.
The number of cases is fewer than at the beginning of the last seasons, but now the spread of infection is expected to increase, writes the agency.
Among the youngest and oldest, and in certain risk groups, the risk is greatest for severe illness.
Infants can get severe cough and breathing difficulties that require hospital care.
The most important thing to reduce the risk of infection in general is to avoid meeting people who are sick and to be careful with hand hygiene.
The Public Health Agency has recommended vaccination against the RS virus for people from 75 years and up, as well as for people from 60 years who are in medical risk groups.
However, the vaccinations are currently not free of charge.
RS virus is an abbreviation of respiratory syncytial virus.
The virus can cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections in older people and range from a mild cold to severe pneumonia.
Even younger people with underlying diseases can be affected by respiratory tract infections due to the RS virus.
The virus appears in annual epidemics, mainly during the winter half-year, and spreads mostly among small children, who can become seriously ill.
The virus is easily spread and most people become ill at some point before the age of two.
The symptoms are often like a common cold with runny nose, stuffy nose, mucus production, and fever. After a few days, a troublesome cough follows.
Most older children and adults become mildly ill, but children under six months usually get more severe symptoms.
Sources: 1177 and the Public Health Agency
