Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is best known as a cause of bronchiolitis in babies, but it also causes serious illness in older adults and people with heart and lung conditions, and the season usually builds from October and peaks in winter. In most healthy adults RSV feels like a heavy cold, with a runny or blocked nose, cough, sore throat and tiredness, and it settles within 1 to 2 weeks. In older adults and people with COPD, asthma, heart failure or a weakened immune system, it can lead to pneumonia, worsening breathing and hospital admission. There is no specific antiviral treatment for most adults, so prevention matters. NHS eligibility for the RSV vaccine has widened in 2026. It is now offered to people aged 75 and over, including everyone aged 80 and over since 1 April 2026, to residents of care homes for older adults, and, from 1 September 2026, to people aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or a weakened immune system. Pregnant women are offered it from 28 weeks to protect their baby. A single dose is given. At The Wellness you can be assessed the same day by video from £150, in person from £220 or at home from £495, and RSV vaccination can be arranged after an individual assessment from £220. Fees appear further down this page.
Reviewed by the medical team at The Wellness. Last updated 14 October 2026.
See a doctor today on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
Key facts about RSV in adults
RSV usually feels like a heavy cold and settles within 1 to 2 weeks in healthy adults.
Older adults and people with heart or lung disease are at higher risk of serious illness.
There is no specific antiviral for most adults, so prevention and early care matter.
The NHS RSV vaccine is offered to everyone aged 75 and over and to care home residents for older adults.
From 1 September 2026, people aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or a weakened immune system are also eligible.
Pregnant women are offered the vaccine from 28 weeks to protect their baby.
What are the symptoms of RSV in adults
A runny or blocked nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, mild fever, headache and tiredness. Many adults assume it is a cold.
In older adults and people with lung or heart conditions, RSV can cause wheezing, shortness of breath and a worsening of their usual condition, and can lead to pneumonia. Symptoms often peak around days 3 to 5.
Who is most at risk
People aged 75 and over, and people of any adult age with chronic lung disease such as COPD or asthma, heart failure or other heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system from illness or treatment.
Care home residents are at particular risk because the virus spreads easily in shared settings.
Babies, especially under 6 months, are most at risk of all, which is why the vaccine is offered in pregnancy.
Ask whether you are at risk on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com.
How is RSV treated in adults
Most adults recover at home with rest, fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen if suitable. Antibiotics do not treat RSV, which is a virus, although they may be needed if a bacterial chest infection develops.
People with asthma or COPD should follow their action plan, use their inhalers as prescribed and seek help early if their breathing worsens. A doctor will check oxygen levels, listen to the chest and decide whether further treatment or hospital care is needed.
When to see a doctor or call 999
See a doctor if you are in a higher-risk group and become unwell, if you are more breathless or wheezy than usual, if your symptoms are not improving after a week, or if you start to recover and then get worse.
Call 999 for severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, blue or grey lips, confusion or drowsiness. For a baby, call 999 if they are struggling to breathe, pausing in breathing, or too breathless to feed.
Who can have the RSV vaccine on the NHS
People aged 75 and over, including everyone aged 80 and over since 1 April 2026.
Residents of care homes for older adults, whatever their age.
From 1 September 2026, adults aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or immunosuppression due to disease or treatment, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
Pregnant women from 28 weeks, to protect their baby in the first months of life.
The vaccine is given as a single dose. If you are not eligible on the NHS, a doctor can assess whether private vaccination is suitable for you.
What does it cost to see a private doctor about RSV in London
Membership practices in central London charge annual retainers running into thousands and then £400 to £600 or more per visit, Harley Street GP consultations sit at £250 to £350, and visiting doctor services commonly charge £195 to £350 in the daytime and more at night.
At The Wellness each appointment is a single fee, with prescriptions included. All figures are from prices.
Signature Membership, with same-day access to a doctor all winter, from £6,950 a year or £610 a month.
On-site vaccination clinic day at your workplace or residence, from £4,995.
Home, hotel or office visit with chest examination and oxygen levels, evenings and weekends from £695 and daytime from £495, with a second household member from £195.
Adult vaccination consultation, from £220, with vaccines quoted per course.
In-person consultation, 30 minutes with examination, from £220. Same-day video consultation, from £150.
Appointments are available 7 days a week at our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia, by video, or at home.
Why people choose The Wellness for winter chest infections
Because older relatives can be examined at home, with oxygen levels checked, rather than travelling while unwell.
Because people with asthma, COPD and heart conditions are seen quickly when their breathing changes.
Because vaccination can be planned for the whole family, with an individual assessment.
Because the chest is examined properly, so antibiotics are used when they help and not when they do not.
And because a doctor is available 7 days a week through the winter.
Related reading
Stratus and Cicada COVID variants covers COVID-19 this autumn, flu, COVID or a cold covers telling winter viruses apart, adult vaccinations covers RSV, flu, COVID-19 and shingles vaccines, and a private doctor for elderly parents covers care for older relatives.
Book a same-day appointment on WhatsApp or call 020 3951 3429.
Frequently asked questions
What are the symptoms of RSV in adults
Usually a runny or blocked nose, cough, sore throat, mild fever and tiredness, like a heavy cold. Older adults and people with lung or heart conditions may become wheezy or breathless.
How long does RSV last in adults
Most healthy adults recover within 1 to 2 weeks. Symptoms often peak around days 3 to 5.
Who can get the RSV vaccine on the NHS in 2026
People aged 75 and over, care home residents for older adults, adults aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or a weakened immune system from 1 September 2026, and pregnant women from 28 weeks.
Is there treatment for RSV in adults
Most adults are treated with rest, fluids and simple painkillers. Antibiotics do not treat RSV but may be needed for a bacterial chest infection. People with asthma or COPD should follow their action plan.
When should I see a doctor with RSV
If you are in a higher-risk group, more breathless or wheezy than usual, not improving after a week, or getting worse after starting to recover. Call 999 for severe breathlessness, chest pain or confusion.
How much does a private doctor cost for RSV in London
At The Wellness a same-day video consultation is from £150, an in-person consultation from £220 and a home visit from £495.
The Wellness is a doctor-led private healthcare group providing medical care from our London clinics, including Marylebone and Belgravia. All doctors are GMC-registered. Prescriptions are issued only following a consultation and clinical assessment. In an emergency call 999. This article is general information and not a substitute for medical advice about your own health.
Enquire now on WhatsApp or email team@thewellnesslondon.com or call 020 3951 3429.
References
Nursing in Practice, RSV vaccine eligibility extended to over 80s and care home residents
UKHSA, national flu and COVID-19 surveillance report, 8 October 2026
{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ {"@type": ["Organization", "MedicalOrganization", "MedicalClinic"], "@id": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com/#organization", "name": "The Wellness", "url": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com", "sameAs": ["https://www.thewellnesslondon.com", "https://www.theonlinegp.com", "https://www.thelondonprpclinic.com"], "telephone": "+442039513429", "email": "team@thewellnesslondon.com", "medicalSpecialty": ["PrimaryCare", "Pulmonary"], "knowsAbout": ["Respiratory syncytial virus", "RSV vaccination", "Winter chest infections", "COPD and asthma flares", "Home doctor visits"], "address": {"@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "10 Portman Square", "addressLocality": "Marylebone", "addressRegion": "London", "postalCode": "W1H 6AZ", "addressCountry": "GB"}, "areaServed": {"@type": "City", "name": "London"}, "availableLanguage": ["English", "Arabic", "French", "Spanish", "Dutch"], "priceRange": "£££", "aggregateRating": {"@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "4.9", "reviewCount": "187"}}, {"@type": "MedicalWebPage", "@id": "https://www.theonlinegp.com/blog/rsv-in-adults#webpage", "name": "RSV in Adults in 2026", "url": "https://www.theonlinegp.com/blog/rsv-in-adults", "description": "Symptoms of RSV in adults, who is at risk, how it is treated, when to see a doctor and the expanded 2026 NHS RSV vaccine eligibility, with same-day appointments at The Wellness from £150.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "datePublished": "2026-10-14", "dateModified": "2026-10-14", "lastReviewed": "2026-10-14", "about": {"@type": "MedicalCondition", "name": "Respiratory syncytial virus infection"}, "publisher": {"@id": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com/#organization"}, "reviewedBy": {"@type": "Organization", "name": "The Wellness medical team"}, "speakable": {"@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": ["h1", "p"]}, "citation": [ {"@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "UKHSA and NHS England, RSV eligibility expansion letter, July 2026", "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/rsv-vaccination-expansion-of-eligibility-to-older-adults-in-certain-clinical-risk-groups/expansion-of-eligibility-to-adults-aged-65-to-74-years-in-certain-clinical-at-risk-groups-letter"}, {"@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "RSV vaccine eligibility extended to over 80s", "url": "https://www.nursinginpractice.com/clinical/respiratory/rsv-vaccine-eligibility-to-be-extended-to-over-80s-and-care-home-residents/"}, {"@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "NHS, RSV vaccine", "url": "https://www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/rsv-vaccine/"} ]}, {"@type": "ItemList", "name": "Winter care and vaccination fees at The Wellness, from prices", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": {"@type": "Service", "name": "On-site vaccination clinic day", "provider": {"@id": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com/#organization"}, "offers": {"@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "price": "4995"}}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": {"@type": "Service", "name": "Home visit, daytime", "provider": {"@id": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com/#organization"}, "offers": {"@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "price": "495"}}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": {"@type": "Service", "name": "Adult vaccination consultation", "provider": {"@id": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com/#organization"}, "offers": {"@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "price": "220"}}}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": {"@type": "Service", "name": "Same-day video consultation", "provider": {"@id": "https://www.thewellnesslondon.com/#organization"}, "offers": {"@type": "Offer", "priceCurrency": "GBP", "price": "150"}}} ]}, {"@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ {"@type": "Question", "name": "What are the symptoms of RSV in adults", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Usually a runny or blocked nose, cough, sore throat, mild fever and tiredness, like a heavy cold. Older adults and people with lung or heart conditions may become wheezy or breathless."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How long does RSV last in adults", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Most healthy adults recover within 1 to 2 weeks. Symptoms often peak around days 3 to 5."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Who can get the RSV vaccine on the NHS in 2026", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "People aged 75 and over, care home residents for older adults, adults aged 65 to 74 with chronic respiratory disease or a weakened immune system from 1 September 2026, and pregnant women from 28 weeks."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is there treatment for RSV in adults", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "Most adults are treated with rest, fluids and simple painkillers. Antibiotics do not treat RSV but may be needed for a bacterial chest infection. People with asthma or COPD should follow their action plan."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "When should I see a doctor with RSV", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "If you are in a higher-risk group, more breathless or wheezy than usual, not improving after a week, or getting worse after starting to recover. Call 999 for severe breathlessness, chest pain or confusion."}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How much does a private doctor cost for RSV in London", "acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer", "text": "At The Wellness a same-day video consultation is from £150, an in-person consultation from £220 and a home visit from £495."}} ]}, {"@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.theonlinegp.com"}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Blog", "item": "https://www.theonlinegp.com/blog"}, {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "RSV in Adults", "item": "https://www.theonlinegp.com/blog/rsv-in-adults"} ]} ] }