Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a common virus that can cause serious respiratory infections, especially in young children and older adults. This article will explain what RSV is, how it affects people, who is at risk, and why vaccines are important.
What is RSV?
RSV is a virus that mainly affects the lungs and breathing passages. It is one of the most common causes of respiratory infections in infants and young children. Most kids will have an RSV infection by the time they are two years old. For many, it causes mild cold-like symptoms, but for others, it can lead to severe respiratory illness.
Symptoms of RSV
The symptoms of RSV usually appear about four to six days after a person is infected. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include runny or stuffy nose, coughing, sore throat, fever, wheezing and difficulty breathing. In some cases, especially in infants, RSV can cause more serious symptoms such as rapid breathing or trouble breathing, blueish color around the lips or face and lethargy, meaning not being as active or alert as usual. If someone shows these severe symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention right away.
Morbidity and Mortality
Morbidity refers to the health problems caused by a disease, while mortality refers to the number of deaths caused by it. RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness in young children and older adults and can lead to serious complications.
RSV leads to hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year, especially in babies under one year old. Many children recover without needing hospital care, but some may develop bronchiolitis, which is an inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, or pneumonia, which can be serious.
While most people recover from RSV, it can be deadly, particularly for high-risk groups. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) RSV causes about 14,000 deaths among children under five years old each year in the United States.
For older adults, the risk of severe illness from RSV increases significantly, Adults aged 75 and older are more likely to have severe RSV infections compared to younger adults. This is often due to age-related decline in the immune system and the presence of other chronic health conditions. It is estimated that RSV leads to over 177,000 hospitalizations among older adults in the U.S. each year. Many of these hospitalizations are due to pneumonia and other complications associated with RSV infections. RSV can contribute to about 14,000-17,000 deaths among older adults annually. The mortality rate increases in seniors with underlying health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes and weakened immune systems.
Some older adults who recover from RSV may experience long-term effects, such as decreased lung function or an increased risk of other respiratory infections. This can affect their quality of life and lead to more hospital visits or chronic health issues.
Healthcare Costs
The healthcare costs related to RSV are significant. The virus leads to many hospital visits, emergency room trips, and treatments. It is estimated that RSV costs the U.S. healthcare system over $1 billion each year in direct medical expenses. This includes costs for hospital stays, doctors’ visits, and medications. In some cases, people who have had severe RSV infections may need ongoing. medical care, which can add to the overall healthcare costs.
Who is Most at Risk?
Babies under one year old are at the highest risk, particularly those born prematurely or with underlying health problems. People aged 75 and older can also experience severe RSV infections, especially if they have chronic heart or lung conditions. Individuals with weakened immune systems, including people undergoing cancer treatment or those with conditions that affect their immune system are at increased risk. Also, children with asthma, congenital heart disease or lung disease are at increased risk for severe RSV.
Who Should Get the Vaccine?
The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for the following people:
Adults 75 and older should get the RSV vaccine
Adults 60-74 who have risk factors for severe RSV disease should get the RSV vaccine. These risk factors include
Chronic heart or lung disease
Weakened immune system
Certain other medical conditions including some people with diabetes and some people with obesity
Living in a nursing home.
The RSV vaccine is not an annual vaccine, so eligible adults do not need to get a dose every RSV season. The best time to get vaccinated is in late summer and early fall before RSV usually starts to spread in the community.
Pregnant women can get the RSV vaccine ahead of the RSV season to provide antibodies to their fetus.
For infants and toddlers up to 8 months during or entering their first RSV season, or for older children with risk factors who have not been vaccinated.
Prevention Tips
There are things that can be done to decrease the risk of infection. Frequent hand washing can reduce the risk of infection. Teach children to wash their hands often, especially after being in public places. Keep infants away from sick people, especially during RSV season, which typically runs from fall to spring. Regularly clean toys and surfaces that are often touched to reduce the spread of germs. If a person is sick, they should stay home to prevent spreading the virus to others, especially young children and older adults.
Conclusion
RSV is a common virus that can lead to serious health issues, particularly in young children and older adults. Understanding the symptoms, risks, and prevention strategies can help protect those who are most vulnerable. Definite guidelines are in place for the new vaccine available to protect against RSV.