New to Parenting? Don’t Let RSV Take You by Surprise

Amidst all the adjustments, remember to be vigilant and proactive against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common yet severe disease that can have serious and lasting consequences for your baby.

Parenthood is both a joy and a responsibility, and many first-time parents invest a lot of time and effort in preparation for the arrival of their little miracle. Then reality hits, and you realise there is only so much you can read and prepare for in advance.

For example, in addition to juggling naps, baths and feeding times (not just for the baby but for mums too!), new parents also need to be attuned to a wide array of health concerns and preventive measures while your baby’s immune system is developing.

This starts with taking extra care to maintain high levels of hygiene by washing hands frequently and insisting that other family members and visitors do the same. As you and your baby get to know each other, pay close attention to your little one’s behaviour so you can quickly notice if anything is out of the ordinary – maybe they’ve got a runny nose that won’t go away, or seem to have difficulty breathing; even a change in appetite or energy levels could be significant.

It’s understandable that these signs may seem vague, especially for new parents, but they are also symptoms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV¹ . However, many parents have never heard of RSV before and it’s easily overlooked amidst the joy and adjustments of welcoming your newborn into your life.

As RSV is very common in Singapore – with statistics indicating that around 2 in 3 babies will catch RSV before their first birthday² – it would be unwise to remain ignorant of the long-term consequences on your baby, not to mention the indirect impact on the entire family.

Here’s why RSV is more than just a passing inconvenience:

All young infants are at risk of RSV and its complications.

RSV infections are common even among babies who are born full-term and in good health – RSV complications account for 47% of hospitalised bronchiolitis and pneumonia cases in newborns under 6 months in Singapore³ and an estimated 81% of ICU admissions occur in full-term infants with no underlying health conditions in the US.⁴

RSV can have long-lasting health implications.
Severe cases of RSV can impact a child’s lung development, with up to 12 times higher risk of developing asthma.⁵
RSV can strike again.
A previous infection doesn’t provide protection against subsequent infections – this means your child (or children) can get infected repeatedly.⁶ As RSV circulates year-round in Singapore, the risk is ever-present. What’s more, there is no specific treatment for RSV; once RSV strikes, the only thing doctors can do is to offer supportive care to manage symptoms. This makes prevention essential.

As the impact of RSV goes far beyond the immediate and obvious illness, it shouldn’t be taken lightly, and parents do need to consider the impact on themselves as well – the worry, medical costs, and missed workdays from being at the hospital for days, to name just a few.⁷

Thankfully, preventive options for RSV are available. They include infant immunisation with monoclonal antibodies and maternal vaccination. For infants, RSV immunisation can be given as early as at birth and offers direct and immediate protection for the baby.⁸ Protect your baby directly against RSV. Speak to your paediatrician or other healthcare providers about infant immunisation with long-acting monoclonal antibodies. Visit TogetherAgainstRSV.sg for more information.

Learn More about RSV at the Upcoming Baby Prep Masterclass!

This May, get ready to meet fellow moms for a shared learning experience at the Baby Prep Masterclass, a community event held at One Punggol Community Center that is built around one simple idea: that a baby’s first year of life is important and every mum deserves to feel ready for it.

Designed for expecting mums and young families who are navigating the many decisions that come with preparing for a new baby, speakers will address a range of topics that range from prenatal care to postpartum support, infant immunisation and financial planning. Beyond the expert talks, participants can also explore partner booths, and connect with other parents on the same journey.

More than just another parenting talk, this will be a space where mums can ask real questions, meet people who understand what they are going through, and leave feeling a little more supported and a lot more confident.

Join us for the Baby Prep Masterclass, because preparing for a baby is one of life’s biggest moments and no mum should have to figure it out alone.

New to Parenting? Dont Let RSV Take You by Surprise

Date : Saturday, 2 May 2026
Time : 4pm to 6pm; registration starts at 3.30pm
Venue : One Punggol Community Center
Registration: Sign up here by 30 April to save a seat!
Guest-of-Honour: Punggol Shore (Punggol GRC) Chairperson MP Yeo Wan Ling

Don’t miss the educational sharing session on RSV during this event, featuring Dr Adrian Tan, Founder and Medical Director of Babysteps Medical, and a parent whose baby was affected by RSV.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

^{[1] Mayo Clinic. Respiratory syncytial virus. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symtpms-causes/syc-20353098

[2] Walsh EE. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection: An Illness for All Ages. Clin Chest Med. 2017;38(1):29-36. doi:10.1016/j.ccm.2016.11.010}[3] Tam CC, Yeo KT, Tee N, et al. Burden and Cost of Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Young Children, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(7):1489-1496. doi:10.3201/eid2607.190539 pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7323550/

[4] Halasa N, Zambrano LD, Amarin JZ, et al. Infants Admitted to US Intensive Care Units for RSV Infection During the 2022 Seasonal Peak. JAMA Network Open. 2023;6(8):e2328950. oi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28950

[5] Zar, Heather J et al. Early-life respiratory syncytial virus disease and long-term respiratory health. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, Volume 12, Issue 10, 810 – 821. doi.org/10.1016/ S2213-2600(24)00246-7

[6] Openshaw PJM, Chiu C, Culley FJ, Johansson C. Protective and Harmful Immunity to RSV Infection. Annu Rev Immunol. 2017;35:501-532. doi:10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052206

[7] Tam CC, Yeo KT, Tee N, et al. Burden and Cost of Hospitalization for Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Young Children, Singapore. Emerg Infect Dis. 2020;26(7):1489-1496. doi:10.3201/eid2607.190539 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7323550/

[8] World Health Organization. Questions and answers: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) immunization products. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/respiratory-syncytial-virus-(rsv)-immunization-products

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