Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common infection that mostly circulates in the wintertime and affects breathing. People who contract RSV often have coughing and excessive mucous production. Most healthy adults will feel like they have a cold. However, children – especially those under the age of 5 – tend to become much sicker with this virus.
RSV leads to approximately 80,000 hospitalizations annually in children under the age of 5. The elderly are also at risk for this virus, and there is a vaccine available for them as well. RSV can be fatal with an estimated death toll of 8,600 – 20,000 deaths annually.
There are options for prevention. The CDC recommends one of the following:
- A pregnant woman can receive an RSV vaccination between weeks 32 – 36 of her pregnancy. Maternal antibodies can protect a baby for approximately 6 months following birth.
- A baby can receive an RSV antibody (anywhere from birth to 8 months of age) that provides protection for about 5 months. If a baby is born between October and March, it is advised they receive this within a week of birth. The RSV antibodies are also recommended for at risk children older than 8 months of age, up to 19 months.
Stay safe and take care of yourselves during this cold and flu season.