From the Guidelines
Yes, a patient can contract RSV multiple times, as immunity to the virus is not lifelong and individuals can be reinfected in subsequent seasons 1.
RSV Infection and Reinfection
- RSV is a major cause of respiratory illness and hospitalization in older adults during fall and winter in the United States.
- The virus can cause repeated infections throughout a person's life, as seen in the need for annual vaccination recommendations for high-risk groups.
- Vaccination is now recommended for all adults aged ≥75 years and for adults aged 60–74 years who are at increased risk for severe RSV disease, with a single dose of any Food and Drug Administration–approved RSV vaccine, and adults who have previously received RSV vaccine should not receive another dose 1.
Prevention and Treatment
- Nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody, has been approved for passive immunization to prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection among infants and young children, highlighting the ongoing efforts to prevent and treat RSV infections 1.
- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides updated recommendations on the use of RSV vaccines in adults aged ≥60 years, aiming to maximize RSV vaccination coverage among persons most likely to benefit 1.
From the Research
RSV Infection and Reinfection
- A patient can contract RSV multiple times, as immunity to the virus is not complete and is of short duration 2.
- Studies have shown that individuals can become reinfected with RSV within a short period of time, with one study finding that 73% of subjects had two or more infections and 47% had three or more infections within 26 months 2.
- The risk of reinfection is present even in individuals with high antibody levels, with a risk of 25% 2.
Factors Influencing Reinfection
- The duration of immunity to RSV tends to increase after two closely spaced infections 2.
- Higher neutralizing, F and G antibody levels before challenge have been found to correlate significantly with protection against infection, but this protection is not complete 2.
- Specific nasal IgA antibody titers have not been found to correlate significantly with protection against RSV infection 2.
RSV Transmission and Prevention
- RSV can be transmitted through respiratory droplets via direct contact with an infected individual or with contaminated surfaces 3.
- Prevention techniques such as hand washing and maintaining social distancing are important to minimize the transmission of the virus 3.
- Vaccine development and the use of prophylactic monoclonal antibodies are currently being explored as prevention strategies for RSV infection 4, 5.