As the holiday season arrives , most of us are busy planning for family visits , traveling , and having time together with loved ones and friends . It is especially exciting for much of the world as we watch and hope that perhaps the difficult times of an ongoing three-year pandemic are maybe calming . However , we must remain diligent with our preventive measures this year because we are seeing an alarming rise in several respiratory microbial agents , including influenza , parainfluenza , enteroviruses , COVID-19 , and RSV .
Currently , many hospitals in the United States and globally are reporting surges in RSV which are overwhelming bed availability . Respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV ) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild , cold-like symptoms . Most people recover in a week or two , but RSV can be serious , especially for infants and older adults . RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis ( inflammation of the small airways in the lung ) and pneumonia ( infection of the lungs ) in children younger than 1 year of age in the U . S .
How is RSV transmitted ? RSV can be spread when
under the microscope
By Rodney E . Rohde , PhD , MS , SM ( ASCP ) CMSV CM , MBCM , FACSc
‘ Tis the Respiratory Season
● An infected person coughs or sneezes and respiratory droplets enter your eyes , nose or mouth
● You have direct contact with the virus , like kissing the face of a child with RSV
● You touch a surface that has the virus on it , like a doorknob or other high touch surface ( phone , computer keys , etc .), and then touch your face before washing your hands .
One is typically contagious with RSV for three to eight days and may become contagious a day or two before they start showing signs of illness . However , some infants , and people with weakened immune systems , can continue to spread the virus even after they stop showing symptoms , for as long as four weeks . Young people are often exposed to and infected with RSV in schools , daycare or childcare centers .
As I have written many times in my articles , all surfaces matter in the transmission of pathogens . RSV can survive for many hours on hard surfaces [ countertops , door handles , etc .) while it usually lives on soft surfaces such as tissues , hands , and cloth for shorter amounts of time .
RSV infections occur most often first with infants or toddlers and nearly all children are infected before their second birthday . However , all ages can be infected throughout their life . Infections in healthy children and adults are generally less severe than among infants and older adults with certain medical conditions . In the U . S and other areas with similar climates , RSV circulation generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter . Seasonality and severity of RSV moving through a particular geographic area and any community is variable annually .
Who is most at risk for severe RSV ? Individuals who are more likely to experience severe complications from infections with RSV include
● Premature infants
● Young children with congenital ( from birth ) heart or chronic lung disease
● Young children with compromised ( weakened ) immune systems due to a medical condition or medical treatment
● Children with neuromuscular disorders
● Adults with compromised immune systems
● Older adults , especially those with underlying heart or lung disease
How can one prevent the spread of RSV ?
As with most respiratory pathogens , there are some simple and effective ways to prevent the spread of RSV . Some of the more common measures include :
● Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve , not your hands
● Handwashing ( often ) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
● Avoid close contact , such as kissing , shaking hands , and sharing cups and eating utensils , with others
● Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices
● Limit the time one spends in childcare centers or other potentially contagious settings during periods of high RSV activity . This may help prevent infection and spread of the virus during the RSV season
● Avoid close contact with sick people
Currently , there are no RSV vaccines , but research is moving forward to develop one . Moderna is working on a trivalent vaccine for influenza , RSV and COVID-19 . Pfizer also recently announced positive top-line data of Phase 3 Global Maternal Immunization Trial for its bivalent RSV vaccine candidate .
There is a drug called palivizumab utilized for preventing severe RSV illness those at high-risk for infection , including premature infants or infants with congenital ( present from birth ) heart disease or chronic lung disease . Palivizumab may prevent serious RSV disease , but it cannot help cure or treat children or prevent infection with RSV .
Current outlook for RSV in the U . S .
RSV cases started showing up in the spring and are now 60 percent higher than 2021 ’ s peak week according to data obtained via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ). I , and many other experts , have discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic preventative measures ( physical distancing , masking , quarantine , or isolation , etc .) likely created an immunity gap in society . While that was critical to help with reducing mortality and severe COVID-19 outcomes , it also prevented our exposure to other agents like RSV , rhinoviruses , adenoviruses , influenza , enteroviruses , and others . We knew this would likely occur and now we need to be prepared to deal with it via testing , prevention , and watching those most at risk for possible healthcare interventions . Eventually , we will get back to what may be considered normal levels and normal seasonality of pathogens . ‘ Tis the [ respiratory ] season ! Be safe and be aware of your health and behaviors . For more information , see :
https :// www . cdc . gov / rsv / index . html
Rodney E . Rohde , PhD , MS , SM ( ASCP ) CM SVCM , MBCM , FACSc , serves as chair and professor of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program at Texas State University . Follow him on Twitter @ RodneyRohde / @ TXST _ CLS , or on his website : http :// rodneyerohde . wp . txstate . edu /