The First Ever Approved RSV Vaccine

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By Yhordan Serpentini | May 9, 2023

Every year, we deal with recurring respiratory viruses like the FLU, now COVID-19, and RSV. Unlike the other two mentioned viruses, RSV has long been affecting people of all ages, without any treatment available; however, recently that very issue may be a thing of the past. In today’s blog, we’ll take a look at RSV, including what it is, the signs and symptoms of the virus, and information on the long-awaited RSV vaccine.

RSV vaccine

What Is RSV?

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus–also known as RSV–is a very highly contagious respiratory virus both among children and adults. It is so highly contagious due to it being an airborne disease, that most adults are silent carriers, infecting children. In fact, around 97% of children are infected with RSV before the age of 2 years old, meaning there was a very high likely chance you were infected with RSV at some point in your life. RSV, although can be harmless to most adults, can pose a serious threat to children or individuals who are immunocompromised, such as asthma, diabetes, autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, HIV/AIDS, etc.

RSV is also a very common cause of lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD), which typically targets the lungs and can cause very serious, life-threatening pneumonia and bronchiolitis (swelling of the lung’s airways). The virus has progressively attacked a larger number of adults over the years, causing an average of 60,000 – 120,000 hospitalizations each year, of which 6,000-10,000 adults died from RSV.

Symptoms of RSV

RSV tends to have a mix of fever-like and flu-like symptoms, making it at most, an inconvenience to millions of adults around the globe for about a week. However, it is also to be remembered that there is a very good chance you may be a silent carrier, showing no symptoms of the virus, yet still being able to infect others. Wash your hands and preferably wear a mask, around any newborn children that are NOT yours, as well as avoid kissing or touching their faces. Below are the common symptoms of RSV:

Symptoms found in adults:

  • Runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Headache (mild or severe)
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Shortness of breath

Symptoms found in children:

  • Runny nose
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Fever
  • Wheezing
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty Breathing

Prevent Infection and Transmission

As mentioned earlier, wash your hands and wear a facemask when handling infants or toddlers that are not yours, as they are most prone to being infected with RSV. That being said, the virus can spread very easily as it is airborne. The most common ways RSV transmission occurs is through:

  • Droplets from coughing or sneezing
  • Direct contact with an individual infected with RSV
  • Intimacy
  • Sharing of bodily fluids (saliva, most commonly)
  • Touching eyes, mouth, or nose directly after being exposed
  • Touching public surfaces (door handles, poles, handrails, etc.)

The RSV Vaccine

Previously, RSV had no forms of treatment available, with only over-the-counter medication being offered if the pain was becoming difficult to tolerate. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approves the first-ever RSV vaccine called “Arexvy” for individuals 60 years of age or older–making it the first step towards potentially receiving multiple RSV vaccines for individuals of all ages.

The FDA states that out of the 12,500 participants that have received Arexvy, and 12,500 participants that have received a placebo, the vaccine had caused a significant reduction in the risk of developing LRTD by a whopping 82.6%, as well as reduced the risk of developing severe RSV-associated LRTD by 94.1% (FDA, 2023). There are more tests and studies being conducted to ensure that the vaccine is safe for public distribution. If all goes well, we may eventually see additional vaccines in the works for young adults, and children.

Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to be medical advice

References:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 28). RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 31). Preventing RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, October 24). Symptoms and care of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.html

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, November 1). Transmission of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 9, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html

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