Flu season is about to get underway this fall, on top of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But another, less well-known respiratory threat is ready to enter the scene: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This virus is one of several respiratory pathogens that are active during what’s known as flu season. RSV season roughly overlaps with flu season, generally beginning in October, peaking anywhere from December to February, and often lasting into spring.1,2
In most cases, RSV causes a mild cold with symptoms that may include nasal congestion, coughing, sore throat, headache, and a low-grade fever. However, RSV can become quite dangerous for very young children, people with compromised immune systems, and the elderly.
Parents may be shocked when their young child’s mild cold turns into a severe illness requiring a hospital stay. However, each year RSV is responsible for 2.1 million outpatient visits and 57,527 hospitalizations for children under 5 years old, according to the CDC.2 Infants are a particularly high-risk group for RSV infections. Up to 20% of infants with RSV require hospitalization, while 25% – 40% develop complications like bronchiolitis or pneumonia.3
The illness can also be dire for older adults. RSV leads to 177,000 hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths annually among adults older than 65 years.2
This respiratory season, how can you tell if a respiratory infection is RSV, the flu, COVID-19, or another cold virus? And what can you do to prevent the spread of RSV?
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to distinguish RSV from other respiratory infections based on symptoms alone. That’s because respiratory symptoms like coughing, congestion, and headache can be caused by several different respiratory pathogens. The only real way to know what’s causing a respiratory infection is diagnostic testing.
However, some respiratory symptoms are concerning, especially if the patient is a young child or an older adult. Serious symptoms include difficulty breathing, a high fever, or a blue color to the skin, lips, or nail beds.4 Seek immediate medical attention if anyone at risk of severe RSV infection has these symptoms.
You can help avoid RSV infections and prevent their spread by taking the same precautions you take to avoid the flu or COVID-19: wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face, cover coughs and sneezes, avoid close contact with sick people, stay home when you are sick, and clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs.5
Data from BioFire® Syndromic Trends show that RSV peaks in late December each year, which means it is spreading robustly in the season of indoor holiday gatherings. Be sure to steer clear of these gatherings if you are sick, even if you think you just have a mild cold. If you are at risk for RSV or have a young child or infant who is at risk, consider avoiding any large gatherings where you won’t be able to maintain social distancing.
Respiratory season usually brings an upsurge of people seeking medical care for respiratory illnesses. This year has the potential for unprecedented demand on the healthcare system, with COVID-19, the flu, and RSV all circulating at the same time. The BioFire® Respiratory 2.1 (RP2.1) Panel rapidly identifies 22 common respiratory pathogens, including RSV, the flu and SARS-CoV-2 (the pathogen that causes COVID-19)—all with one test, one patient sample, and results in about 45 minutes.
In the point-of-care setting, the BioFire® Respiratory 2.1-EZ (RP2.1-EZ) Panel (EUA)* identifies 19 common respiratory pathogens, including RSV, flu, and SARS-CoV-2, in individuals suspected of respiratory infection consistent with COVID-19. The BioFire RP2.1-EZ Panel (EUA) is designed to run on the CLIA-waived BioFire® FilmArray® 2.0 EZ Configuration System. Rapid answers on a broad range of pathogens can help inform faster treatment decisions and relieve anxious patients.
BioFire’s syndromic panels offer the ability to detect several possible pathogens in one, rapid test, taking the guesswork out of choosing which pathogens to test for. When it comes to RSV, fast answers may enable clinicians to make quick decisions for optimal therapy.
References
World Pneumonia Day 2022