The Singapore Family Physician

Back to issue Vol 50 No. 7 - Combatting Common Respiratory Illnesses: Vaccination Strategies in Singapore

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Public Health Impact and Prevention Strategies

Denise Tan Yan
Soh Xiao Jue Jade
The Singapore Family Physician Vol 50 No 7 - Combatting Common Respiratory Illnesses: Vaccination Strategies in Singapore
1 July 2024
0377-5305
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the most important respiratory pathogens that causes both upper and lower respiratory tract infections across all age groups. Worldwide, it is the leading cause of childhood hospitalisation, causing a significant health and economic burden. In young children, the first RSV infection may cause severe and possibly fatal bronchiolitis. RSV is also increasingly recognised to be a cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in adults. It results in significant cardiorespiratory complications and mortality, especially in the frail and elderly and those with certain co-morbidities. Recurrent RSV infections are common throughout life as the immune response elicited by RSV is weak and short-lived. Therefore, prevention strategies including hand hygiene and monoclonal antibodies as prophylaxis are important. After several decades of research, there are now RSV vaccinations available for adults aged 60 years and above as well as for pregnant women to prevent severe RSV disease in infants through passive immunity.