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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common infection that attacks the lungs and respiratory system. It is very common for many children to contract the virus before their second birthday. But RSV doesn’t just make children sick; it can also infect adults. RSV affects the airway mucosa, causing inflammation and excessive mucus production when the immune system launches an attack. Your airways may become narrow and clogged with mucus, cellular debris, and fluid, making trying to breathe feel like blowing through a plastic straw or whistling through a deflated accordion.
Although many infections are mild (in infants less than 2 months old, all adults over 75 years of age, and adults over 50 years of age with chronic medical conditions), there is a high risk of serious infection and hospitalization.
How is RSV spread?
RSV is contagious and spreads like the flu. Coughing and sneezing releases small droplets into the air and onto surfaces.
You can get the virus if you breathe these droplets in, if they get into your eyes, nose, or mouth if someone coughs or sneezes nearby, or if you touch a contaminated surface and then touch your face before washing your hands.
Read: Is it COVID-19, RSV or the flu? >>
Who should get the RSV vaccine?
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends RSV vaccination for adults age 75 and older or adults age 50 and older with conditions that put them at higher risk for severe illness and hospitalization from RSV.
What conditions increase your risk of becoming seriously ill from RSV?
RSV can be difficult for people with damaged organs or weak immune systems. Some conditions put you at higher risk for serious illness from this virus. These disorders include, among other things:
- COPD
- congestive heart failure
- diabetes
- chronic liver disease
- obesity
If you are unsure about your risk, contact your health care provider (HCP).
How often should I get the RSV vaccination?
Currently, CDC recommends only one RSV vaccine for adults age 75 and older or adults ages 50 to 74 who are at higher risk for severe illness from RSV. You should still get this vaccine even if you got it during pregnancy.
When is the best time to get the RSV vaccination?
RSV season typically runs from October to March. However, this may vary depending on your country of residence. The best time to get vaccinated is in late summer or early fall before RSV season begins, but you can get vaccinated at any time. Ask a health care provider in your area who recommends getting the vaccine.
What are the side effects of RSV vaccine?
RSV vaccine has side effects similar to other vaccines, which are generally mild and may include:
- pain at the injection site
- fatigue
- having fever
- headache
- sickness
- joint or muscle pain
What are the benefits of RSV vaccine?
The benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the risks. Getting the RSV vaccine is the best way to prevent serious illness and complications, such as heart disease, caused by inflammation caused by the virus. It also significantly reduces hospitalization rates due to RSV in older adults. And one study suggests that getting the RSV vaccine may reduce your risk of developing dementia later in life.
The benefits of RSV vaccination are similar for pregnant people, preventing hospitalization and serious illness. The vaccine also protects the fetus if given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Vaccination during pregnancy has been shown to reduce hospitalization of neonates infected with RSV by 68%.
If a woman was not vaccinated during pregnancy, her baby may receive an infant shot of long-acting RSV antibodies to prevent hospitalization and serious illness after birth.
In addition to your health benefits, getting vaccinated can also help your community. Better immunization levels in a community can reduce the number of days missed by adults from work, reduce the number of days students miss school, and reduce the burden on hospitals due to disease outbreaks.
This educational material was produced with the support of . modern.
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