Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, for infants, young children, and older adults, RSV can be severe, leading to bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Before the advent of these vaccines, RSV was responsible for an estimated 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths annually among older adults in the United States. Infants faced similar risks,with a significant portion requiring intensive care.
The virus spreads through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.Symptoms typically appear 4-6 days after infection and include runny nose, decreased appetite, cough, sneezing, fever, and wheezing. While moast people recover within a week or two, vulnerable populations are at high risk for complications.