How Worried Should You be About RSV Season?
The viral lung infection packs a punch at both ends of the age spectrum, but new shots mitigate the risks
During late fall through winter, I spend substantial parts of my days watching over infants infected with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, struggling to breathe in their hospital cribs. I try to reassure their parents that everything is going to be fine. Despite being routine for me as the doctor caring for these little ones, it is clear that from the parent’s perspective these hospital stays are harrowing experiences.
These babies are often in considerable distress as they struggle to breathe, requiring medical support ranging from nasal cannulas to ventilators.
My colleagues in adult medicine are having similar experiences with their older patients on the other side of the hospital. Unfortunately, for adults, particularly those over 60 years of age, the outcomes are often not so favorable. In this age group, 5–10% of those hospitalized with RSV-related illness will die.
New vaccinations and immunizations for RSV hold the promise to change the landscape of winter respiratory season forever, at both ends of the age continuum and among all those in between who carry and spread the disease to the most vulnerable. Are…
