From the Guidelines
Yes, it is possible to get reinfected with RSV within one month, although it is rare, as indicated by a study that found only 1 instance of repeat RSV infection during the same season among 1560 children over 8 successive RSV seasons 1. After an RSV infection, most people develop some immunity that typically protects them for several months. However, this immunity is not complete or permanent, and reinfection can occur due to strain variability and an incomplete immune response, as noted in the study published in Pediatrics 1. Reinfection within a short timeframe like one month could occur if you were exposed to a different strain of RSV, if your immune response to the first infection was weak, or if you have a compromised immune system. Factors that increase the risk of quick reinfection include being very young, elderly, immunocompromised, or having underlying health conditions. According to the study, repeat RSV infections are associated with less severe clinical illness than the initial RSV infection, and repeat RSV hospitalizations during 1 season are rare, with a rate of less than 0.5% in a cardiac trial involving 1287 children younger than 24 months with hemodynamically significant CHD 1. If you suspect reinfection, it's essential to maintain good hygiene practices, rest, stay hydrated, and consult a healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are severe or worsening. They may recommend supportive care such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for fever and discomfort, and in severe cases, medical intervention might be necessary. Key points to consider include:
- RSV reinfections can occur due to strain variability and incomplete immune response
- Repeat RSV infections are associated with less severe clinical illness
- Reinfection within one month is rare but possible, especially in high-risk groups
- Good hygiene practices and medical consultation are crucial in case of suspected reinfection.
From the FDA Drug Label
If your child gets a RSV infection, they should continue to receive their scheduled SYNAGIS injections to help prevent severe disease from new RSV infections The answer is yes, you can get reinfected by RSV within 1 month, as the drug label states that even if a child gets an RSV infection, they should continue to receive SYNAGIS injections to help prevent severe disease from new RSV infections 2.
From the Research
RSV Reinfection
- RSV reinfections can occur, and the risk of reinfection is present even after a previous infection 3
- A study found that among children with a first infection, annual inpatient and outpatient re-infection rates were 0.25% and 3.44%, respectively 3
- The risk of reinfection declines with age, and medically-attended re-infections contribute to a fraction of the total RSV infections 3
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against immunoprophylaxis in the same season following a breakthrough hospitalization due to limited risk for a second hospitalization, but evidence in support of this recommendation is limited 3
Time Frame for Reinfection
- The study found that re-infections among those with previous infection in the same season were of similar magnitude as the general infection risk, suggesting that a previous infection may not attenuate the risk for a re-infection within a short time frame, such as 1 month 3
- The exact time frame for reinfection is not specified, but the study suggests that reinfection can occur within the same RSV season, which typically lasts from November to February/March 3