Experts Forecast Regular Timing for This Year's RSV Season with New Tools To Bolster the Battle

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Aug 18, 06:49 am

Photo: (Photo : Brittany Colette on Unsplash)

Last autumn witnessed an alarming scenario: children's hospitals across the nation grappled with an unexpected surge in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases. Such was the severity that emergency declarations emerged in several states, and makeshift facilities with extra beds sprouted in parking zones to accommodate the influx.

This year, medical professionals predict a divergence from last year's pattern. While RSV's seasonal occurrence may revert to its usual pre-pandemic timeline, the case count's trajectory is speculated to vary. This variation largely hinges on the public's adoption of the newly introduced preventive measures against RSV.

The Unpredictable Nature of RSV

Though RSV is nearly universal and its symptoms, from sneezing, wheezing, and coughing to potential fever, which often mirror those of a typical cold, its unpredictability makes it a formidable foe. A startling revelation from a recent study underscored this: most children admitted to ICUs due to RSV complications last year neither had prior health issues nor were born prematurely.

The susceptibility of young infants and the elderly to RSV is particularly harrowing. For these demographics, what begins as a seemingly innocuous infection can quickly escalate into life-threatening conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. The CDC, while not tracking RSV-specific hospitalizations or fatalities as they do for the flu, identifies RSV as the predominant cause of infant hospitalizations in their maiden year. Annually, RSV leads to the hospitalization of up to 80,000 children under the age of five. Death toll estimates vary from 100 to 300 for children and a staggering 6,000 to 10,000 for older adults.

Historically, RSV peaks between December and January in the US. But the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has skewed its usual pattern. With extensive lockdowns, stringent mask mandates, and a reinforced emphasis on hand hygiene, the 2020-21 RSV season saw a significant dip. This, however, led to an "immunity gap," as per certain researchers. The repercussions became evident in the 2021-22 RSV season, with an early peak in July and an uncharacteristically early conclusion in January.

The 2022-23 RSV cycle further underlined the anomaly. Children and seniors, primarily those who missed developing immunity due to the reduced RSV infections during the pandemic, found themselves in hospital corridors grappling with the virus.

Medical Innovations Offer Hope

Dr. Daniel Weinberger of the Yale School of Public Health offers a silver lining, suggesting that the upcoming RSV season might closely mimic its pre-pandemic behavior. By observing trends in the Southern hemisphere, experts occasionally derive clues about the RSV season's likely trajectory in the US. Dr. Claudia Hoyen, associated with the UH Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, has observed an atypical lull in recent months, sparking concerns about what might lie ahead.

However, the current medical landscape is not devoid of hope. July saw the FDA green-light nirsevimab, a revolutionary monoclonal antibody aimed at fortifying infants against RSV. Additionally, two dedicated RSV vaccines for individuals aged 60 and older have been introduced. If embraced on a large scale, these medical advancements can significantly alter the RSV narrative. The American Academy of Pediatrics, emphasizing the gravity of the situation, is championing a holistic approach to ensure every individual has equitable access to these groundbreaking therapies.

Last year's healthcare crisis inadvertently spotlighted the lurking threat of RSV. Dr. Weinberger is optimistic, hoping that heightened awareness will catalyze individuals to proactively seek RSV vaccinations or antibody treatments, thereby heralding a safer RSV season.