RSV is the devil of bronchiolitis in infants and young children. The hospitalization rate for children under 1 year old is 16 times that of influenza.

Literature points out that infants under 1 year old are on average 16 times more likely to be hospitalized due to RSV than influenza (Influenza). Schematic diagram, the characters in the picture have nothing to do with the news. (Picture taken from shutterstock)

[Health Channel/Comprehensive Report] Parents will definitely be anxious if their infants and young children feel any discomfort. Pediatrician Lin Zhemin said on the Facebook fan page "Dr. Jimmy Lin Zhemin" that the MVP of causing bronchiolitis in infants and young children is always the RSV respiratory fusion virus.

Lin Zhemin explained that about 2/3 of infants have been infected with RSV before 1 year old; by 2 years old, almost 100% have been exposed to infection.

Why does RSV prefer babies under 1-2 years old? Lin Zhemin explained that this is because the baby is protected by maternal antibodies at birth, but the antibodies will gradually decrease significantly within 3-6 months after birth. At this time, the baby's own immune system has not yet matured, forming a protective window.

At the same time, medical literature points out that infants under 1 year old are on average 16 times more likely to be hospitalized due to RSV than influenza (Influenza). Among young children hospitalized due to RSV, up to half of the cases occur within 3 months of birth, and more than 75% occur under 6 months of age.

Don’t think that only premature babies need attention! Lin Zhemin said that although premature babies belong to a high-risk group, more than 90% of RSV hospitalization cases in Taiwan are actually healthy babies born at full term. In recent years, RSV "long-acting monoclonal antibodies" have appeared, which provide antibody protection immediately after injection, and the effect lasts for one year. From newborn infants to two years old, all infants and young children can be vaccinated with long-acting monoclonal antibodies after evaluation by a professional physician.