Respiratory Syncytial Virus

How is RSV Transmitted?

• A person can come into contact with the virus directly, for instance, by kissing an RSV-infected child's face.
• If a person touches a doorknob or other surface that has the virus on it, then touches his face without first washing their hands, the virus is then spread.

Symptoms of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):

RSV typically results in mild cold-like symptoms in adults and older kids. These may consist of:

• Low-grade fever
• Congested or runny nose
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Headache

The following symptoms may be exhibited in infants affected with a severe RSV infection:

• Rapid, shallow, and short breaths
• Breathing difficulties
• Cough
• Poor nutrition
• Unusual fatigue (lethargy)
• Irritability

The lower respiratory tract can get infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), leading to pneumonia or bronchiolitis. Some warning signs and symptoms include:

• Fever
• Acute cough
• Wheezing is a high-pitched sound that is typically made when exhaling (exhaling)
• Rapid or difficult breathing may make the person prefer to sit up instead than lying down.
• Lack of oxygen causes the skin to be bluish in tone (cyanosis)

Which Category of People are at Highest Risk for Severe Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease?

• Age is a risk factor for dangerous symptom development, with people over 80 years of age and older having the highest risk.
• Immune systems that have been compromised in kids or adults due to conditions like cancer or treatments like chemotherapy
• Adults suffering from lung or heart disease
• Children suffering from neuromuscular diseases, such as muscular dystrophy are most likely at risk to get infected with RSV.
• Babies, especially those who are premature or less than six months old. The majority of kids will have contracted the respiratory syncytial virus by age 2, but they can contract RSV more than once. Children who attend daycare facilities or who have siblings who are students are more likely to be exposed to and contract an infection again.

Prevention

Respiratory syncytial virus has no vaccination. However, the following lifestyle choices can aid in limiting the spread of this infection:

• Washing of the hands regularly for a minimum of 20 seconds with soap and water.
• Frequently washing toys of children.
• Avoiding exposure of kids to people who are sick with the flu or a fever.
• Maintaining cleanliness and proper hygiene.
• Restricting sharing of goods with the people affected with the disease.

How Contagious is RSV?

RSV spreads quickly as the disease is airborne. RSV infected individuals are typically contagious for 3 to 8 days and may become contagious up to two days prior to the onset of symptoms. Even after the symptoms of the virus have subsided, some newborns and individuals with weakened immune systems may still be contagious for up to four weeks. This is because their immune systems are less effective at eliminating the virus.

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How is RSV Treated?

RSV infections often go away on their own after a week or two. However, at the current moment, no specific treatment for RSV infection are available. Researchers around the globe are working to develop vaccines and antivirals to treat this viral disease. An elderly person may require hospitalization and undergo a chronic respiratory disease treatment, if they are dehydrated or experiencing breathing difficulties. Infants under six months of age are treated similarly. In the direst situations, a patient might require additional oxygen, intravenous fluids (if they are unable to take enough food or liquids), or intubation with mechanical ventilation. However, following actions can be taken to ease the symptoms:

• Over-the-counter painkillers and fever reducers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to control fever and pain.
• To avoid dehydration, take in adequate liquids. It is very important that patients affected with RSV stay hydrated all the time.
• Before giving your child over-the-counter cold medications, see your doctor. Some of the pharmaceutical drugs are known to have compositions that may harm children.

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What are the Complications Associated with RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus complications include:

• After contracting human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), one could contract it again. It might even take place during the same RSV season. However, symptoms are frequently milder and take the guise of a normal cold.
• Severe RSV in children may increase a child's risk of acquiring asthma in later life.
• In babies, RSV most usually results in lung or lung airway inflammation (pneumonia or bronchiolitis). Lung inflammation can also be extremely dangerous for young children, elderly people, those with compromised immune systems, and people who have ongoing heart or lung conditions. Approximately 100,000 people die each year from complications associated with the infection.
• In order for medical professionals to monitor and treat breathing issues and administer intravenous (IV) fluids, a severe RSV infection may necessitate a hospital stay. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention RSV causes more than 50,000 hospitalizations each year.

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Government Initiatives Promoting Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus

• The United States has deployed the PEDSIDEA programme for the real-time digital surveillance of influenza and RSV disease incidence and severity. It is anticipated that the initiative will continue to closely track the clinical results of "natural" RSV and other viral respiratory illnesses in both children and adults, including individuals who are at the age extremes.
• In support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the RSV surveillance strategy Phase I under its Global Influenza Programme. This program was based on the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS) and was to be conducted in 14 countries globally. The program aimed at standardizing RSV surveillance and provide evidence for supporting Public Health and also inform RSV vaccination policy.

Recent Progresses Related to Respiratory Syncytial Virus

• Pfizer announced positive top-line data from its bivalent respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate's Phase 3 global maternal immunization trial. The RSV vaccine candidate from Pfizer may be the first maternal immunization to help protect young infants from this frequent and potentially fatal respiratory infection.
• GSK plc announced that the phase III trial results for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate was positive. This vaccine candidate was designed to treat adults aged 60 years and above. The results which displayed a cumulative vaccination efficacy of 82.6%, were to be presented at IDWeek 2022.
• A one-dose RSV medication called nirsevimab has been approved by the European Commission, according to pharmaceutical companies Sanofi and AstraZeneca. It is an antibody created in a lab to guard newborns against RSV at their initial encounter.