This study clearly states that human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is recognized as the most common cause of acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) in the pediatric population.1 ALRIs (bronchiolitis and pneumonia) due to RSV in children are among the most frequent causes of hospital admission. It was estimated that, globally, in 2015, there were 3.2 million (uncertainty range [UR] 2.7-3.8 million) RSV-associated hospital admissions and nearly 59 600 (UR 48 000-74 500) in-hospital deaths from RSV in young children. The total estimated number of deaths due to RSV among young children in developing countries in 2015 was 118 200. During the neonatal period, 6.5% (95% CI 5.8-7.6) RSV infection can present as apnea or sepsis.2, 3 RSV disease among young children may be associated with long-term sequelae, including recurrent wheezing and asthma, though whether these associations are causal or due to shared susceptibility is unclear. RSV not only affects children but also causes annual outbreaks of respiratory illnesses among all age groups4, 5 particularly affecting the elderly and adults with comorbidities such as diabetes, heart and lung disease. Given the high RSV disease burden, the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies are of high priority.
Reference link- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/irv.12726
