About RSV

– RSV is a virus transmitted by respiratory secretions, and commonly causes upper and lower respiratory tract infection. Repeated infections are common throughout life because natural infection does not confer long-lasting immunity.
– in adults, RSV usually causes upper respiratory tract infection symptoms (cough, sore throat, nasal congestion etc). Lower respiratory tract infection can also cause wheezing and breathing difficulty.
– in children, the first RSV infection usually occurs by 2 years of age.
– The highest burden of RSV disease is among very young children and elderly people.
– RSV is the leading cause of hospitalisation due to lower respiratory tract infection and bronchiolitis in infants aged under 6 months. Most hospitlisations occur in children that are otherwise healthy.
– Hospitalisation rates decline with age after early childhood, then increase again from 50 to 65 years of age.
– Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have an increased risk of severe disease and hospitalisation due to RSV.

Categories: RSV
Author: Agnes
Entry Date: 9/4/2024
Source 1 Name: ATAGI. Statement on the clinical use of AREXVY (RSV PRE-F3) vaccine for prevention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease in older adults in Australia. Clinical advice version 1.0, March 2024.
Source 1 URL: https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-02/atagi-statement-on-the-clinical-use-of-arexvy-rsv-pre-f3-vaccine-for-rsv_0.pdf
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