The Epidemiological Effect of RSV on the Community

Abstract

Respiratory viral infections are caused by a diverse group of viruses, including influenza A and B viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome virus 2, respiratory syncytial virus, and human rhinovirus. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common and highly contagious virus that affects the lower respiratory tract and can lead to severe illness in infants, young children, and older adults. After more than 60 years of research for developing an efficient vaccine against this single-stranded virus, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended two newly developed RSV vaccines, RSVPreF3OA (Arexvy) by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)and RSVpreF (Abrysvo) by Pfizer. Both vaccines are approved to be administered as a single dose for ages 60 and older but Abrysvo is for those between 32 to 36 weeks of pregnancy to help protect their newborns. According to a CDC report, there are no substantial differences between these two vaccines and both were 80 to 90 percent effective in reducing RSV illness during the first season after vaccination. This article will discuss the epidemiological effects of RSV in the community, focusing on its prevalence, transmission, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention strategies.