Respiratory Syncytial Virus (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Science & Tech)

Context: Recently, The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccination to save newborns from Respiratory Syncytial Virus.

• The new vaccine is made by Pfizer and is given to mothers late in their pregnancies. It provides protection to infants through their first six months of life.

About Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

• RSV is a common respiratory virus.
• It is one of the most frequent causes of childhood illness.
• It usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, such as runny nose, cough, and fever.
• However, premature infants, babies younger than 6 months old, people over age 65, and people with a compromised immune system, chronic lung disease, or congenital heart condition can get a more severe case of RSV.
• A severe infection can lead to pneumonia and bronchiolitis.
• Transmission: Spreads from person to person
• The air by coughing and sneezing, Direct contact, such as kissing the face of a child, touching an object or surface with the virus on it.
• Symptoms: Runny nose, Decrease in appetite, Cough, Sneezing, Fever & Wheezing.
• ABRYSVO's approval is a significant milestone because it is the first maternal vaccine that can protect newborns from RSV.