Never heard of RSV? This respiratory virus is nothing new but appears to be on the rise
RSV, A COMMON THOUGH PERHAPS “UNFAMILIAR” VIRUS, CAN INFECT ANYONE, BUT THE VERY YOUNG AND VERY OLD ARE MOST AT RISK FOR SERIOUS DISEASE
RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which can be more serious in the very young and very old, has been in the news recently because of increasing cases.
According to the BBC,
PHE (Public Health England) “raised the alarm” last summer after samples taken by GPs and hospitals reported that the positivity rate for RSV had risen from 1.2 per cent to 8.9 per cent in just a handful of weeks.
In fact, it is estimated that over 30,000 babies and children under five are hospitalised every year in the UK because of RSV, and 6 per cent of these will require admission to intensive care. Among adults, RSV-associated tract diseases cause around 360,000 hospitalisations and 24,000 deaths of those aged 60 and over, according to Synexus, a leading clinical trial company.
While RSV is not a new virus, it’s typically considered a “winter” illness, yet more cases have been cropping up in the summer months. So, it’s worth getting to know more about this fairly common (if unfamiliar) disease.
SO, WHAT IS RSV?
RSV is a highly contagious virus that leads to symptoms much like those of the common cold, but it can escalate
into serious infections of the lungs and airways. Since it spreads through the air via coughs, sneezes and other contact, it can be passed easily as we interact with our loved ones. Being so contagious, RSV can quickly spread to vulnerable children and the elderly.
In fact, most children are infected with RSV by two years of age, but you can get infected at any age and more than once. Though symptoms can be cold-like, those at high risk may get very sick and develop pneumonia or bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs). People at high risk include very young infants, premature babies, and older adults-as well as others with weakened immune systems.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
You can contribute to the future of medicine through clinical trials being run by Synexus. This leading clinical trial organisation is looking for healthy volunteers to advance vaccine research to help protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).
It’s important to note that when grandparents are infected with RSV, the grandchildren they care for are at risk too. Right now, Synexus are studying investigational RSV vaccines to see if they can help to lower the risk that RSV poses.
CLINICAL TRIALS CAN HELP US ALL
Some people volunteer for clinical trials to potentially gain access to investigational medicines or vaccines - in addition to receiving care/health monitoring from local doctors.
In fact, when asked about their Synexus experience, one trial participant said: “My experience with Synexus was very positive. The staff were always friendly and totally professional. I will recommend Synexus to my friends.”
But others volunteer simply because they want to help future generations or to advance our understanding of a particular disease.
Find out more about how you may be able to participate in a Synexus RSV vaccine clinical trial by calling 0800 161 3280 OR visiting www.synexusclinic.co.uk/rsv. GRC approved 22 GR 62.