HJAR Nov/Dec 2023

44 NOV / DEC 2023 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS ADH CORNER COLUMN ADH CORNER RESPIRATORYSYNCYTIALVIRUS (RSV) was first identified as a major cause of respiratory illness over 60 years ago. It causes seasonal epidemics that, similar to influenza, usually begin in the fall and continue through winter into spring. The combination of RSV- and flu-related illness periodically threatens to overwhelmour hospital systems. RSV causes a highly contagious respiratory illness that anyone of any age group can contract. Al- most everyone gets infected during their first few years of life. However, immunity to RSV wanes over time, and people can become re- infected throughout their life. New Vaccines Offer Hope for Stopping Serious RSV Illnesses RSV-related illness can range from a runny nose, cough, and headache to severe lower respiratory tract disease, including pneumo- nia and bronchiolitis. Infants and young chil- dren, especially those experiencing their first infection, may experience severe, life-threat- ing illness. However, RSV may cause severe illness in people of all ages, especially older adults and those with chronic underlying health conditions, such as asthma or COPD. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50,000- 80,000 children under age 5 are hospitalized in the U.S. every year due to RSV, and there are 100-300 deaths in this age group. Among adults, older adults experience the most cas- es. There are an estimated 60,000-160,000 adults ages 65 and older hospitalized every year and 6,000-10,000 deaths due to RSV in this age group every year. The availability of new immunizations against RSV is expected to reduce RSV-re- lated hospitalizations and deaths. During the past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Ad- ministration (FDA) has approved three new immunizations against RSV, and CDC has since recommended them for use in the U.S. These immunizations include two vaccines,