TRENDING MEDICAL EDUCATION TOPIC: RSV OR PEDIATRIC RESPIRATORY ILLNESS

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, which clear up in 1-2 weeks. However, RSV can be serious, especially for infants under 1 year and for older adults. 

With more children back in school and daycare, children who haven’t been previously exposed to respiratory illnesses are getting sick. This year, an unexpected spike in RSV is pushing some hospitals to capacity this year.

Each year in the United States, RSV leads to approximately 58,000 hospitalizations among children under 5 and 177,000 hospitalizations among adults 65 and over. It is estimated that 100-300 children younger than 5 and 14,000 adults 65 and older die each year from RSV-related infections.

It is important for healthcare professionals to identify and treat RSV infections, especially in the most vulnerable populations. 

Here are a few important learning objectives to better identify RSV:

• Become aware of the epidemiology and clinical presentation of RSV infection 
• List factors that increase the risk of contracting RSV
• Identify high-risk groups which should receive RSV prophylaxis

CLICK HERE to download a PDF file featuring information gaps, potential needs, and references for this topic.

If your medical staff needs an update on RSV or Pediatric Respiratory Illness, consider contacting our office to book a speaker on this topic at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

REFERENCES

https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/index.html

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/24/1130764314/childrens-hospitals-rsv-surge

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eprp/lahan/alerts/CDPHRSV100322.pdf