Sweater weather, fall leaves, and pumpkin spice lattes mark the beginning of autumn. They also mark the start of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season.
RSV is a contagious virus that typically circulates from October to March. It also varies by regional. It presents with cold symptoms such as congestion, cough, fever, and decreased appetite.
Most people recover within two weeks. But some develop severe illness resulting in hospitalization or even death. In fact, RSV is one of the leading causes of hospital admissions in children under age five. Nearly 20% of these RSV admissions are treated in the intensive care unit.
Older adults over the age of 60 with chronic medical conditions are also at increased risk for RSV. Racial disparities in older adults indicate that people of color, Black, Hispanic, or Latino have higher rates of hospitalization than their white counterparts.
How can you avoid getting RSV?
Prevention is the best protection against RSV. Several vaccines are now available for populations at greatest risk of developing severe symptoms.
- Abrysvo (RSVpreF) is given as a single dose to pregnant people at weeks 32 to 36 of gestation to protect their babies against RSV from birth through 6 months of age. Most babies will not need an additional vaccine if this maternal vaccine is given during pregnancy.
- Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is given as a single dose to babies aged 8 months or younger during their first RSV season and to babies aged 8 to 19 months at increased risk of severe illness during their second RSV season.
- Synagis (palivizumab) is given monthly during RSV season to babies aged 24 months or younger who have specific conditions that put them at high risk of severe disease, including prematurity, congenital heart disease, and chronic lung disease.
- Arexvy (RSVPreF3) is given as a single dose to adults aged 60 years or older. It is especially recommended for those with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart failure, and diabetes.
Although Abrysvo, Beyfortus, and Arexvy have only been approved recently, the research involved in the production of these vaccines started 60 years ago, when the virus was first discovered. Over 3,000 babies and 29,000 adults worldwide have received the vaccines prior to FDA approval.
They have been shown to be very safe, with the most common side effects being pain, redness, or swelling where the vaccine is given. These vaccines also work well, decreasing the risk of severe RSV disease by 80%.
In addition to getting vaccinated, there are many strategies to prevent RSV:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as door handles and mobile devices.
- Avoid close contact with others who are sick, such as kissing, shaking hands, and sharing food or utensils.
- If you feel sick, stay home.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue, not your hands.
How do you manage RSV symptoms?
If you or a family member get infected with RSV, the most important thing you can do is rest to allow your body to fight off the virus. Other recommendations include:
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
- To treat fever or pain, you may use medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (age 6 months and older).
- Avoid giving cough or cold medicine to young children, since many contain ingredients that are not safe for them.
- Antiviral or antibiotic medications are not used to treat RSV.
Call your doctor or go to the emergency room if you or your child is having difficulty breathing, showing signs of dehydration (dry lips, unable to make tears, fewer wet diapers than usual), or experiencing worsening symptoms.
For the latest information on RSV, contact your doctor or visit the CDC website.
Reference
