English
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common infection that attacks the lungs and respiratory tract. It is so common that many children become infected with the virus before their second birthday. However, RSV doesn’t just make children sick; the virus can also infect adults. RSV attacks the lining of the respiratory tract and causes inflammation and excessive mucus production when the immune system attacks. The airways narrow and become clogged with mucus, cellular debris, and fluid, which can feel like blowing through a plastic straw or whistling through an empty accordion while breathing.
While many infections are mild – infants under 2 months old, all adults over 75 years old, and adults over 50 years old with chronic illnesses – there is an increased risk of serious infections and hospitalization.
How does RSV spread?
RSV is contagious and spreads like the flu. Coughing and sneezing release tiny droplets into the air and onto surfaces.
You can become infected with the virus if you breathe in these droplets, or if they get into your eyes, nose, or mouth because someone near you coughs or sneezes, or if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face before washing your hands.
Read: Is it Covid, RSV or Flu? >>
Who should be vaccinated against RSV?
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends RSV vaccine for adults age 75 and older or for adults age 50 and older with medical conditions that put them at higher risk for severe RSV illness and hospitalization.
Which diseases increase the risk of severe RSV disease?
RSV can be dangerous for people with damaged organs or weak immune systems. Some illnesses put you at a higher risk of becoming seriously ill with this virus. These disorders include, among others:
- COPD
- Heart failure
- diabetes
- Chronic liver diseases
- obesity
Talk to your doctor if you are unsure about your risk.
How often should you get vaccinated against RSV?
Currently, the CDC only recommends RSV vaccine for adults over age 75 or for adults ages 50 to 74 who are at higher risk for severe RSV disease. You should receive this vaccine even if you received it during pregnancy.
When is the best time to get vaccinated against RSV?
RSV season generally runs from October to March, although this may vary depending on which part of the country you live in. The best time to get vaccinated is in the late summer months or early fall months before RSV season begins, but you can get vaccinated at any time. Ask your doctor if he or she recommends vaccination in your area.
What are the side effects of the RSV vaccine?
RSV vaccines have similar side effects to other vaccines, which are usually mild, and may include, but are not limited to:
- Pain at the injection site
- fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- nausea
- Joint or muscle pain
What are the benefits of the RSV vaccine?
The benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Vaccination against RSV is the best way to prevent serious illness and complications, such as cardiac events, caused by inflammation caused by the virus. It also significantly reduces RSV-related hospitalization rates in older adults. And one study even suggests that vaccination against RSV can reduce the risk of later dementia.
The benefits of vaccination against RSV are similar for pregnant women, preventing hospitalization and serious illness. It also provides protection to the fetus if the vaccine is administered between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy has resulted in a 68% reduction in hospitalizations of newborns infected with RSV.
If a woman is not vaccinated during pregnancy, her baby may receive an infant vaccine with long-acting RSV antibodies after birth to prevent hospitalization and serious illness.
In addition to the medical benefits, vaccination can also help your community. When vaccination rates in communities are good, adults miss fewer days of work, students miss fewer days of school, and hospitals are less burdened by disease outbreaks.
This educational resource was created with support from Moderna.
From your website articles
Related articles on the Internet
