Everybody knows what the common cold and influenza are, but we’d guess not many have heard of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). So, what it is? Well, it is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold like symptoms in adults and older healthy children, but for babies and those in high-risk groups RSV symptoms can be more serious and fatal.
RSV can cause severe infection in some people, including babies 12 months and younger (infants), especially premature infants, older adults, people with heart and lung disease, or anyone with a weak immune system (immunocompromised).
Causes of RSV
You can get respiratory syncytial virus through your eyes, nose, or mouth. It is easy to spread because infected respiratory droplets carry it through the air. If someone with RSV coughs or sneezes near you or your child, you or your child could get sick. The virus can also spread when people touch each other directly, like when they shake hands.
hVIVO plc (formerly Open Orphan plc) is a rapidly growing specialist contract research organisation (CRO) and the world leader in testing infectious and respiratory disease vaccines and antivirals using human challenge clinical trials, providing end-to-end early clinical development services for its broad and long-standing client base of biopharma companies.