RSV
Less well known than the flu or COVID-19, RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children worldwide.[1]It also affects older adults or adults with underlying health conditions.[1]
Unfortunately, RSV can be deadly.[1] There is still no vaccine and few specific treatments available[1][2] but most cases will clear up on their own in a few days.[3]
What is RSV?
RSV is a type of virus that, like the flu, spreads mostly in seasonal outbreaks[2] and affects your lungs and breathing passages, with similar symptoms to a cold.[3] There are two different types of RSV, and you can be infected more than once.[2]
It’s very contagious, spreading through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, or through direct contact, like kissing.[1][3]People who don’t have symptoms can still spread it, and the virus can persist on surfaces like countertops, toys and doorknobs.[3]It spreads especially quickly in schools, childcare centres and care homes.[1][4]
What are the symptoms of RSV?
Mild symptoms usually appear a few days after infection[5], though healthy adults may not have any.[3] However, some adults are at risk of severe and sometimes life-threatening infections, including older adults, those with asthma, congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and people with immunodeficiency.[1]
RSV symptoms are similar to the type you would typically get with a common cold:[5]
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Sore throat
- Mild headache
- Cough
- Fever
- Babies tend to ‘bob’ their head forward while breathing in. They may also act fussy, cranky, have less energy or be less hungry than usual
Symptoms sometimes lead to a more severe infection, such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.[5] If you get the following symptoms, you need to see a doctor right away:[5]
- Breathing faster than normal
- Skin around the ribs pulling in while breathing
- Cough that is getting worse
- Choking or vomiting due to strong coughing
- Wheezing
- Colour of skin changing to grey or blue
How common is RSV?
RSV is extremely common – in fact, by the time you reach your second birthday you’ve almost definitely had it at least once.[1][3] It usually appears in specific ‘seasons’ – between autumn and spring, or in the rainy season.[1][5]
Sadly, as infections are so common, RSV causes many deaths every year, especially in babies – it’s the second main cause of death in infancy worldwide.[1] Almost all of these deaths are in developing countries.[5]
Babies born around the start of the RSV season are more at risk of severe disease.[1]Younger children (especially those under 6 months old, or with underlying conditions like heart or lung disease) are also at high risk.[1]
In healthy elderly adults, RSV infections can occur in about 3-7% but up to 10% in high-risk adults.[4]Elderly people (those over 65) and anyone with a weak immune system are considered to be at a higher risk.[1][3]
Prevention
While it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid RSV, here are some tips that can help stop the spread:[3][6]
- Wash your hands often
- Wipe hard surfaces with soap or disinfectant
- Don’t share cutlery or cups
- Avoid touching your face
- If you have symptoms of a cold, stay at home and avoid interacting with or kissing high-risk children
- Cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze
- If you are at a higher risk (over 65, immunosuppressed) – consider wearing a face mask when in closed public spaces
- If possible, avoid taking high-risk children to childcare centres, especially during peak virus seasons
- Don’t smoke near your child[3]
Vaccination and treatment
There is no vaccine that can help prevent RSV infection.[3] The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified this as an important priority, and we now know more than ever about how the virus works.[7]
A drug called palivizumab, a monclonal antibody therapy, is available in some countries for the prevention of severe RSV disease in certain infants and children who are at high risk for.[6]
Most infections will usually resolve at home.[5] If hospitalisation is needed, supportive care might include oxygen, and fluids given through a tube.[1]
Questions to ask your doctor
The list below includes example questions to help start a conversation with your health care provider. There may be other relevant questions based on your symptoms, stage, and medical history that are not listed here.
- Am I/is my child more at risk of a severe infection?
- Do you think it’s safe for my child to attend a nursery or childcare now?
- Is there anything else that could cause these symptoms?
- Is there anything that could help my child feel better when they’re sick?
- Do I need to take extra care around my child if I’m feeling unwell?
- …
Janssen & RSV
We know that there is a great unmet need when it comes to RSV, with no vaccine or specific treatment available yet.[1] That’s why we are combining our passion with innovation to pursue multiple avenues from prevention to treatment, to reduce the serious harm caused by RSV infections.[9]
With all the advances scientists have made in recent years, we hope that RSV will soon become a treatable disease.
Glossary
References
