- After discharge from hospital 40% of babies admitted with RSV chest infection will have recurrent, repeated respiratory symptoms over the next four years[i]. It is estimated that, of all the babies admitted to hospital with the disease, 30% will still be having recurrent wheezing episodes 10 years later[ii]
- The effect of RSV hospitalisation on prematurely born infants with chronic lung disease was measured by following these children up to 5 years of age. Data illustrates that RSV infection in these infants resulted in long-term respiratory problems later in life and had a considerable effect on the burden (financial and social) to the family[iii]
- RSV is the commonest organism to cause a condition called acute bronchiolitis - inflammation and obstruction of the lung’s tiniest airways
- Over the last few decades, care of premature babies has improved greatly because of increased understanding of underlying problems. This has resulted in many more babies born at 24 weeks gestation surviving compared with 10 or 20 years ago. There are thus more babies alive who are prone to catching infections such as RSV or pneumonia as well as other viral and bacterial infections
- A premature baby can struggle with a severe cough, rapid breathing and begin wheezing as under-developed chest muscles work to try to draw air into narrow airways. If the RSV infection becomes severe enough the baby will need to receive breathing assistance via a ventilator. Receiving such breathing support can cause damage to a baby’s fragile lung tissue which may lead to chronic lung disease
- Most people with healthy immune systems will not be harmed, but babies who are born prematurely or young children who have lung disease are at higher risk of becoming unwell, occasionally seriously, from RSV
- Premature babies requiring prolonged additional oxygen support are more susceptible to RSV because they have poor immune systems and are therefore less able to fight off infections. 20% of them are likely to need hospital admission[iv]
- Other high risk groups are those with congenital heart disease, babies with immune problems and those with cystic fibrosis
- By the age of two, virtually all children in the UK will have developed antibodies to RSV, indicating that they have come into contact with RSV and built up some resistance to it. Despite this, older children and adults, especially the elderly, can also contract RSV
[i] Lung Report III (2003), British Lung Foundation
[ii] British Lung Foundation, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), The Facts (2002)
[iii]Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, Minutes of Meeting 22nd June 2005 [http://www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/jcvi/mins220605.htm]
[iv] Lung Report III (2003), British Lung Foundation
