Logan Reid
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal virus that spreads easily among babies and children. RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants in the US, with two to three percent of infants under six months requiring hospitalization every year. RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can also lead to severe complications, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, that necessitate medical intervention. While most infants hospitalized with RSV are otherwise healthy, certain high-risk groups, such as premature babies and infants with other health problems, face a higher risk of severe illness or death from RSV.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Range of annual RSV-associated hospitalization rates per 1,000 US infants aged <1 year | 8.4 to 40.8 |
| Pooled rate of annual RSV-associated hospitalization per 1,000 US infants aged <1 year | 19.4 |
| Average annual RSV-associated hospitalization rate per 1,000 children <5 years | 4.0 |
| Percentage of infants under 6 months hospitalized with RSV every year | 2-3% |
| Number of children under age 5 needing hospital care for RSV each year in the US | 58,000 to 80,000 |
| Percentage of infants with RSV who need a hospital stay | Up to 3% |
| Percentage of infants and young children infected with RSV who need hospitalization | Most do not need hospitalization |
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What You'll Learn
RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in the US
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal virus that spreads easily among babies and children. RSV is highly contagious and can cause severe respiratory illness, especially in infants and older adults. It is the leading cause of infant hospitalisation in the US, with up to 3% of infants who develop RSV requiring hospitalisation. This equates to about 58,000 to 80,000 children under the age of five needing hospital care for RSV each year in the US.
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people. However, it can lead to more severe complications, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which are lower respiratory infections. These complications can be life-threatening, especially in infants under six months old, who are at the highest risk of developing severe RSV disease. The virus can also be dangerous for children under two years old with congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease and those with compromised immune systems or neuromuscular disorders.
The CDC recommends several tools to protect infants from severe RSV illness, including an RSV vaccine given to mothers during pregnancy (Pfizer's Abrysvo) and an RSV immunisation (nirsevimab) given to infants after birth and to some young children up to 19 months old. These interventions can help reduce the risk of hospitalisation due to RSV.
While most infants who are hospitalised with RSV improve with supportive care and are discharged within a few days, the virus can still be scary for parents. In addition, the financial burden of hospitalisation can be significant. Therefore, accurate estimates of severe RSV disease are essential to inform policy decisions and cost-effectiveness analyses for RSV prevention tools.
Although RSV hospitalisation rates may be declining in certain subpopulations of infants, there is no broad evidence of a significant decrease in RSV hospitalisations among the general US infant population. RSV-associated hospitalisation rates among US infants under one year of age range from 8.4 to 40.8 per 1000, with a pooled rate of 19.4 per 1000. This variation highlights the need for timely and accurate data to inform public health responses to RSV.
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RSV symptoms and treatment
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal virus that spreads easily among babies and children. RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms in most people, but it is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US. Two to three out of every 100 infants under 6 months are hospitalized with RSV every year, and up to 3% of infants who develop RSV need a hospital stay. RSV symptoms typically last for one to two weeks.
In adults and older, healthy children, RSV symptoms are usually mild and may include a fever, runny nose, and cough. However, RSV can cause severe infections in some people, including babies 12 months and younger (infants), especially premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system. Signs of severe RSV infection in infants include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Worsening symptoms
- Dehydration, such as dry mouth, little to no urine output, sunken eyes, and extreme fussiness
If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention. Hospital treatments for RSV may include oxygen, antiviral medications, IV fluids, and mechanical ventilation. Doctors may also recommend over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen to reduce fever, nasal saline drops to clear congestion, and antibiotics if there is a bacterial complication, such as bacterial pneumonia.
There are also ways to relieve symptoms at home, including:
- Creating moist air to breathe using a cool-mist humidifier or vaporizer
- Keeping the room warm but not overheated
- Drinking plenty of fluids, including warm fluids such as soup, and ice pops
- Continuing to breastfeed or bottle-feed your infant as normal
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RSV hospitalisation rates
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal virus that spreads easily among babies and children. RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization in the US. Globally, RSV is one of the most common causes of childhood illness and hospitalization in infants.
Each year in the US, about 58,000 to 80,000 children under the age of 5 need hospital care for RSV. RSV hospitalization rates from NVSN have remained stable over the past decade, with no evidence of a significant decline. A meta-analysis of 25 studies found annual RSV hospitalization rates among US infants under 1 year old ranged from 8.4 to 40.8 per 1000, with a pooled rate of 19.4 per 1000.
Younger infants, children born prematurely, and those with other health problems face the highest risk of RSV-related complications and hospitalization. Two to three percent of infants under 6 months of age are hospitalized with RSV annually, and up to 3% of infants who develop RSV require a hospital stay. RSV can cause severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing, and hospitalized infants may require oxygen support, IV fluids, and mechanical ventilation.
While most infants improve with supportive care and are discharged within a few days, RSV can occasionally lead to severe complications such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Accurate RSV hospitalization data is essential for informing policy decisions and cost-effectiveness analyses for RSV prevention tools.
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Risk factors for hospitalisation
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal virus that spreads easily among babies and children. It usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but it can lead to severe complications, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may require hospitalisation. RSV is the most common cause of hospitalisation in infants. Each year in the US, about 58,000 to 80,000 children under the age of five are hospitalised due to RSV, with up to 3% of infants who contract RSV requiring hospitalisation.
Certain factors increase the risk of an infant contracting RSV and requiring hospitalisation. These include:
- Premature birth: Babies born prematurely have smaller airways, making them more susceptible to severe RSV infection.
- Age: Infants under six months of age are at a higher risk of developing severe RSV symptoms and requiring hospitalisation.
- Congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease: Children with these conditions are at an increased risk of severe illness or death from RSV.
- Compromised immune system: Children with weakened immune systems, due to other diseases or treatments such as chemotherapy, are more vulnerable to severe RSV infections.
- Neuromuscular disorders: Children with neuromuscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy, are at a higher risk of severe RSV.
- Other health problems: Infants with underlying health issues are at a higher risk of developing severe RSV complications.
- Exposure: Children who attend daycare or have siblings in school are at a higher risk of RSV exposure and infection.
- Season: RSV outbreaks typically occur during the fall to the end of spring, with higher rates of hospitalisation during these seasons.
- Other risk factors: Children living in remote or rural areas with limited access to medical care may face a higher risk of severe illness and hospitalisation.
It is important to note that RSV can affect infants and children differently, and some may experience more severe symptoms than others. If your child is displaying symptoms such as difficulty breathing, high fever, or irritability, it is essential to seek medical attention to prevent severe illness and the need for hospitalisation.
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Preventing RSV hospitalisation
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a seasonal virus that commonly affects infants and young children. While RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, it can sometimes lead to severe complications, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, which may require hospitalization. In the United States, RSV is the leading cause of infant hospitalization, with up to 3% of infants who develop RSV needing hospital care.
To prevent RSV hospitalization in infants, the following measures can be taken:
Vaccination during Pregnancy
The CDC recommends that pregnant individuals get vaccinated against RSV between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy. The vaccine, called Abrysvo, helps protect the baby from birth through the first six months of life. This vaccine is approved by the FDA and can be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Infant Immunization
Infants up to 8 months old can receive a monoclonal antibody immunization against RSV, called nirsevimab. This single dose is administered during the infant's first RSV season and can be given by a pediatrician.
Hand Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
Practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette can help reduce the spread of RSV. This includes frequent handwashing with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
Keeping Infants Away from Sick People
It is important to minimize an infant's exposure to sick individuals, especially those with cold-like symptoms. This can help reduce the risk of RSV transmission to the infant.
Breastfeeding
Breast milk contains antibodies that can help protect infants from infections, including RSV. Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life can provide additional protection against severe RSV illness.
By following these preventive measures, the risk of RSV hospitalization in infants can be significantly reduced. It is important to stay vigilant and seek medical attention if an infant exhibits any respiratory symptoms or difficulty in feeding.
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Frequently asked questions
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants in the US. Two to three percent of infants under 6 months of age are hospitalized with RSV every year, with an average annual rate of 4.0 per 1000 children under 5 years of age.
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms such as rhinorrhea, a decrease in appetite, and cough. However, it can also lead to more severe symptoms such as trouble breathing and lower respiratory infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Infants hospitalized with RSV may require oxygen, IV fluids, and mechanical ventilation. Most infants improve with this supportive care and are discharged within a few days.
Infants who are born prematurely, are under 6 months of age, or have underlying conditions such as congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease are at an increased risk of severe RSV disease and hospitalization.
The CDC recommends the maternal vaccine (Pfizer's Abrysvo) during pregnancy or an RSV monoclonal antibody (nirsevimab) for babies after birth to protect against RSV hospitalization in infants.
