Whether active vaccination of pregnant women or, in the future, some form of passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies, the main goal is to protect babies from serious diseases caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is estimated that approximately 54,600 children in Austria become ill every year. There may also be a connection with asthma.
Almost no child escapes an RSV infection. According to scientific studies, 97 percent become infected in the first two years of life. As a result, approximately 1,100 children in Austria require hospital treatment every year. The very youngest are particularly affected. About half of children admitted to hospital are under three months of age. About a quarter are younger than six months.
According to an analysis of the scientific literature, 1.2 percent of premature babies hospitalized for RSV, 5.2 percent of children with congenital heart disease and 4.1 percent of children with certain chronic lung diseases die. One in 500 children who need to be hospitalized due to RSV disease and have no additional risk factors also die.
Association with asthma
What is particularly feared is a so-called bronchiolitis. This leads to overinflation of the smallest airways. Research shows that babies who have suffered from such RSV bronchiolitis are more likely to develop asthma in early childhood.
A study by French and Austrian scientists recently showed a link between RSV or rhinovirus infections and asthma: among 530 children with an average age of 11.1 years and among 1,241 adults with an average age of 43.4 years. In children, there was a connection between the history of mild to severe asthma and the presence of specific antibodies against certain rhinoviruses and against RSV in the blood (Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global; doi: 10.1016/j.jacig. 2024.100342).
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
