By Karen Kier, Pharmacist on behalf of the ONU HealthWise team
Akin means similar in character or related by blood. Are there similarities among the various viruses circulating right now? We know a lot about COVID-19, the common cold, and the flu, but how much do you know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
RSV is considered an enveloped virus from the genus Pneumovirus and the family Paramyxoviridae. RSV is an RNA virus and akin to other viruses, RSV is primarily spread by respiratory droplets from the lungs to the lungs. RSV is highly contagious. Rarely it can be spread by contact with contaminated surfaces where the virus can live for hours.
The onset for RSV is from mid-September to mid-November with the peak RSV season occurring in late December to mid-February. RSV infections diminish in mid-April to mid-May except in Florida and Hawaii. Those two states have differing patterns of RSV.
Akin to COVID-19, the symptoms of RSV are very similar to both the flu and COVID-19. Mild symptoms mimic the common cold. RSV is often overlooked as a possible infection because it looks so similar to other viral infections. Symptoms include a runny nose, loss of appetite, dry cough, fever, sore throat, headache, and wheezing. Sounds familiar! More severe or life-threatening symptoms can include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and pneumonia.
There are laboratory tests to identify RSV akin to COVID-19 and the flu. Tests can include the rapid antigen test and a reverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Sounds familiar! The tests need to be ordered by a healthcare provider and there is not easy access to testing centers.
There is a home collection kit available through Labcorp that tests for RSV, flu, and COVID-19 with one nasal swab. The kit is free if you qualify based on an online survey asking about symptoms, exposure to COVID-19, or a healthcare professional recommendation for the test. The kit takes two days to be delivered to the home and then needs to be sent back via FedEx to Labcorp. The results are available with an online account. If you do not qualify for a free test kit, then a kit can be purchased for $169.00.
There are prescription antiviral treatments for both the flu and COVID-19 and prevention measures with vaccines. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines or specific antiviral therapy approved for RSV. With the improved science and technology with COVID-19 vaccines, more research has focused on finding options for managing RSV.
On March 24, 2022, the FDA announced a Breakthrough Therapy Designation had been given to Pfizer for an investigational RSV vaccine. On August 25, 2022, Pfizer released results from a phase 3 clinical study evaluating an RSV vaccine for older adults. Individuals 60 years and older were enrolled in the RSV vaccine trial referred to as RENOIR. The vaccine targets a preF protein found in the RSV organism.
The study was designed to test the effectiveness and safety of providing a single-dose bivalent RSV prefusion F vaccine to prevent RSV infections. One half of the participants received the vaccine while the other half received a saline (placebo) shot. The vaccine was administered in the fall season to observe cases during the peak RSV seasons. After analysis of the results, Pfizer is reporting an 85.7% response rate of preventing severe RSV illness in older adults. The manufacturer will be petitioning the FDA for approval of this vaccine.
The Pfizer vaccine targets two specific strains of RSV. As with other viruses (akin), RSV has different strains or subtypes. Similar to influenza, RSV has an A strain and a B strain. Typically, the A strain is the most prevalent globally resulting in severe infections.
Pfizer has ongoing trials evaluating the vaccine in pregnant women to confer immunity upon birth to help protect infants from severe RSV infections. This is akin to the use of the Tdap vaccine given during the third trimester of pregnancy to provide newborn immunity to pertussis (whooping cough).
In addition to Pfizer’s announcement, Moderna is pursuing a mRNA RSV vaccine as well. Interestingly, Moderna was investigating the RSV mRNA vaccine prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the company to change course in creating the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine instead. Moderna plans to petition the FDA for approval upon completion of their studies.
Please contact your healthcare professional or ONU HealthWise for more information about these akin viruses including RSV.
ONU HealthWise is offering COVID-19 including boosters as well as flu shots Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM. ONU HealthWise will have flu vaccines starting September 1, 2022. Please call the pharmacy for an appointment or to get more information.
ONU HealthWise Pharmacy
419-772-3784
www.onuhealthwisepharmacy.com
