The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released guidelines to protect infants and young children from Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) which is one of the major causes of lower respiratory tract infections worldwide, especially in infants. According to WHO, RSV takes at least a hundred thousand infant lives and more than 3.6 million children under the age of 5 are hospitalised worldwide. They have also revealed that infants, under six months old, account for around half of these fatalities. The vast majority (97%) of RSV newborn deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to medical assistance, such as oxygen or water.
What is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
Respiratory Syncytial Virus is responsible for respiratory tract illnesses. It is a single-stranded RNA virus that has negative sense. Its name comes from the big cells called syncytia that develop when infected cells unite. Reinfection is still prevalent in later life, although with less severity, and RSV is a common cause of respiratory hospitalisation in newborns. In all age categories, it is a serious pathogen. During the chilly winter months, infection rates are usually greater, leading to bronchiolitis in newborns, common colds in adults and more severe respiratory conditions like pneumonia in the elderly and those with weakened immune systems.
Outbreaks caused by RSV can occur in both hospital and community settings. The virus first infects the eyes or nose and then moves on to the upper and lower airway’s epithelial cells which results in inflammation, cell destruction and airway blockage. There are number of techniques which can detect and diagnose RSV such as viral culture, molecular testing and antigen testing.
RSV Symptoms and Effects of in Infants and Children
RSV infections in children are usually self-limiting and manifest as mild fever, coughing, runny nose and nasal congestion among other upper respiratory tract symptoms. Examining the patient may reveal redness of the eyes (conjunctival infection), inflammation of the throat (pharyngitis) and nasal mucosa (rhinitis). Between 15 and 50 percent of kids will eventually get more severe infections of the lower respiratory tract, like croup, viral pneumonia or bronchiolitis. Infants are more likely to experience the progression of RSV.
The symptoms of injection may be less distinct in young newborns under six weeks of age, particularly premature babies. Their respiratory involvement may be minor. Rather, kids might be less active, agitated, have trouble eating or have trouble breathing. Pauses in breathing or short breaths may also accompany this.
RSV Symptoms and Effects in Adults
RSV reinfection is still frequent throughout life. Adult reinfection frequently results in mild to severe symptoms that are identical to those of a sinus infection or the common cold. Asymptomatic infection is another possibility. When symptoms do occur, they are often limited to the upper respiratory tract and include fever, lethargy, sore throat and runny nose. Most of the time, nasal congestion occurs before coughing. Adults are more likely to get new-onset breathing sounds from RSV than from other upper respiratory illnesses. Significant lower respiratory tract infections such bronchitis or tracheobronchitis will develop in about 25% of infected adults.
RSV rarely results in serious illness in healthy adults, but it can cause serious complications and death in older people, people with weakened immune systems and people with heart conditions. While older adults and younger persons exhibit similarly, older adults are more likely to experience lower respiratory tract involvement and have more severe symptoms. Pneumonia, respiratory discomfort and death are more common in the elderly.
Furthermore, RSV is linked to severe illnesses including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a long-term lung disease that makes breathing difficult. Even congestive heart failure, which occurs when the body cannot receive enough oxygen and blood from the heart.
WHO’s Guidelines
WHO has shared a guideline to tackle RSV in infants. The World Health Organization’s papers suggest two vaccines: a long-acting monoclonal antibody that can be administered to infants either before or during the RSV season and a maternal vaccine that can be given to expectant mothers in the third trimester to protect their unborn child.
Dr Kate O’Brien, Director of Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologicals at WHO says, “RSV is an incredibly infectious virus that infects people of all ages, but is especially harmful to infants, particularly those born premature, when they are most vulnerable to severe disease.” She further continues, “The WHO-recommended RSV immunization products can transform the fight against severe RSV disease, dramatically reduce hospitalizations, and deaths, ultimately saving many infant lives globally.”
WHO has advised all nations to implement either the monoclonal antibody nirsevimab or the maternal vaccine RSVpreF in order to address the worldwide epidemic of severe RSV disease in infants. This recommendation is contingent on the practicality of implementation within each nation’s current healthcare system, cost-effectiveness and expected coverage. In September 2024, the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) recommended both medications for use worldwide. Additionally, the maternal vaccination received WHO prequalification in March 2025, making it available for purchase by UN agencies.
Disclaimer
We hereby disclaim that the above shared information is totally based on our research and just for providing the necessary details about the Respiratory Syncytial Virus. We suggest you visit the official site of the WHO and related sources for more details about the same. If you face any kind of difficulty related to this disease, kindly visit your nearest doctor.
In order to maximise the transfer of antibodies to the foetus, the World Health Organisation advises that pregnant women receive the maternal vaccine throughout the third trimester of pregnancy, starting at week 28. The vaccination can be administered at any additional medical consultations or during standard prenatal care, such as one of the five third-trimester WHO recommended prenatal care appointments.
Other Suggestions from WHO
WHO also suggested another approach. Nirsevimab, the second WHO-recommended vaccine, is given as a single injection of monoclonal antibodies. It protects newborns against RSV for at least five months, which can include the entire RSV season, and starts to work within a week of administration.
The World Health Organisation advices giving newborns a single dosage of nirsevimab either immediately after birth or before their release from a hospital. The monoclonal antibody can be given at the infant’s first medical appointment if it wasn’t given at birth. Older infants can also receive a single dosage right before the start of their first RSV season if a nation chooses to solely provide the medicine during the RSV season rather than all year round.
WHO publishes updated papers on vaccinations, vaccine combinations, and other immunisation products against illnesses with significant public health consequences. These studies largely address the use of vaccines in large-scale vaccination initiatives. The new position paper is intended to inform national public health policymakers and immunisation program managers about the use of RSV immunisation products in their national programs, as well as national and international funding agencies.
| Product | Who receives it | When | How it Works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maternal Vaccine | Pregnant women (week 28+) | Third trimester of pregnancy | Transfers antibodies to infant |
| Monoclonal Antibody | Infants | At birth or first health visit | Provides direct protection |
Conclusion
Particularly in low- and middle-income nations, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) continues to be one of the main causes of serious respiratory illness and infant mortality. There is now a great chance to lessen the impact of RSV and save the lives of countless children thanks to the WHO’s first-ever worldwide recommendations, which include the use of maternal vaccination and long-acting monoclonal antibodies. These preventive measures are a call to action for fair access and international collaboration in addition to being a scientific advance. One of the most important steps towards a healthier future for children worldwide is making sure that all infants, regardless of where they are born, are protected from RSV.
FAQs
Ans. RSV ie Respiratory Syncytial Virus is responsible for respiratory tract illnesses especially in infants.
Ans. To prevent RSV in infants, WHO has listed guidelines like taking a maternal vaccine or the vaccine nirsevimab.
Ans. Ans. Yes, is it a seasonal disease.
Ans. Symptoms include runny nose, coughing and mild fever.
Ans. Yes, RSV is prevalent.
