Public Health Importance of Emporiatrics: A Review
What Are The Symptoms Of RSV And How Long Is It Contagious For? Let's Unpack This Common Cold Virus
We're not in winter just yet, but the cold and flu season has arrived.
While there's been a lot of focus on COVID-19 and influenza in previous years, you might have heard about another virus going around: RSV.
Let's unpack what it is, how it spreads and how you can keep yourself from catching it.
What is RSV?It stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which causes respiratory infections.
RSV is one of about 200 viruses that can cause a cold — which is very common.
"Most children will be infected with RSV at least once before they turn two," a Queensland Health spokesperson said.
"A single RSV infection does not result in long-lasting protective immunity and repeat infections can occur in children."
Most cases of illness caused by RSV are mild.
But it can lead to serious illness for young children, the elderly and people with immunosuppressive conditions.
Contracting the virus can lead to chest infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
It can also cause ear infections and the coughing associated with the illness can worsen asthma symptoms.
What are the symptoms of RSV?Usually, the first symptoms are:
Typically, most cases go away after about two weeks.
But NSW Health says coughs associated with the virus can last for up to four weeks.
Symptoms of RSV include a fever, runny nose and coughing — but can run to more serious chest infections. (ABC News: Kym Agius) What's the treatment for RSV?It can't be treated with antibiotics, because antibiotics don't work against viruses.
So the treatment is about relieving the symptoms.
For most cases of RSV illness, this means bed rest, drinking plenty of fluids and using paracetamol and ibuprofen to relieve pain.
But for infants, small children, older adults and people with certain underlying health conditions, it can mean time in hospital to be treated with intravenous fluids and extra oxygen.
How is RSV spread?Through droplets containing the virus.
So it can spread through inhaling droplets from an infected person talking, coughing or sneezing.
It can also be spread by touching surfaces contaminated with droplets and then touching your nose, mouth or eyes.
Are there figures for RSV cases?Yes.
RSV became a reportable virus to the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System (NNDSS) in July 2021 — which means they're keeping track of the numbers.
The Communicable Disease Network Australia puts out a report on case numbers fortnightly.
But not all states and territories were routinely reporting cases until September, so comparing this year's national case numbers to last year's doesn't really tell us much.
What are the RSV case numbers?In the most recent fortnightly data release, 6,356 infections were reported across the country.
That's a slight increase from the previous fortnight, when 6,292 cases were reported.
The database also shows that most cases were in children aged four or younger: that's 19,641 cases for 2023 to May 12, out of 32,259 total cases — almost two-thirds.
The federal Department of Health and Aged Care says RSV's epidemiology is similar to other respiratory viruses, so it's common for cases to peak in the winter months.
It says RSV infection numbers are similar to flu cases for this year.
"If we compare the three conditions for the previous fortnight, we can see that RSV and influenza notifications to NNDSS were very similar, with COVID-19 having roughly 10 times the notifications over the same period," a spokesperson said.
"The department is closely monitoring all three conditions as we move towards the winter months."
It's important to remember that these numbers only represent the cases that have been reported, so the true figures could be different — especially given that RSV illness is mild in most cases.
Queensland Health said there had been an early increase in RSV and flu infections this year compared to last year.
"This is in line with the flu season in the northern hemisphere, which also saw an increase in both flu and RSV cases ahead of their own flu season," a spokesperson said.
How long is RSV contagious?For about three to eight days after symptoms begin, generally speaking.
But NSW Health says this period could be longer in someone with a weakened immune system.
How long after exposure will symptoms appear?Usually between three and 10 days after contact with RSV.
How do I protect myself from RSV?It's the same drill as for the flu and COVID-19, so think regular handwashing and sanitiser.
Cough or sneeze into your elbow and, if you've got symptoms, the federal health department says to wear a mask in crowded places and high-risk settings like aged care homes and hospitals.
Symptomatic people should avoid contact with infants, older people and immunocompromised people.
Keep up the good hand hygiene to help limit the spread of all viruses. (ABC News: Dannielle Maguire) Is there a vaccine for RSV?There are some in the works.
Earlier this month, the US approved the use of a vaccine called Arexvy for RSV for people aged 60 and over.
That's the first RSV vaccine approved for use in the US.
Does Australia have an RSV vaccine?Not yet.
Arexvy's manufacturers, GlaxoSmithKline Australia, submitted an application with Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration in January.
The legislated time frame for the TGA to complete an evaluation is 255 days.
"However, applications are generally completed before this time, noting time frames for evaluation of individual applications depend on when all data is provided by the sponsor," a Department of Health and Aged Care spokesperson said.
"Approval for use in specific demographics (including use in pregnancy) will ultimately depend on the data presented by the sponsor to the TGA.
"This data needs to meet the TGA's high standards for safety, quality and efficacy."
Meanwhile, in March, the TGA granted a priority determination for its mRNA vaccine for the prevention of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease in adults 60 years and older.
A priority determination speeds up the evaluation, cutting the target time frame down to 150 working days.
"This determination is the first step in the priority review process and does not guarantee an application has or will be made by the sponsor, or that an application will be approved."
Posted 14 May 202314 May 2023Sun 14 May 2023 at 7:46pm, updated 14 May 202314 May 2023Sun 14 May 2023 at 9:49pm
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Experiencing bouts of sneezing along with a runny nose is par for the course this time of year. Since allergy season is ramping up, many people will chalk it up to that - but what if it's a cold or a flu?
There are a few telltale signs. In the video above, I speak with a doctor about how to tell the difference, and the symptoms of each.
Thumbnail: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels
Flu Is Back And COVID Rules Are Gone, So When Should You Call In Sick, Work From Home Or Push Through?
At the height of the pandemic, a cough at your desk or a sneeze in the communal kitchen was enough to get you sent home straight away.
Those days are over, thankfully, but there's still plenty of sickness around as we head into winter.
Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Deakin University, Hassan Vally, says workers still need to look after themselves and protect their colleagues.
"We've been on a really high level of alarm for the last few years, and there is that tendency as that threat has come down to drop our guard completely. That's what we've got to try and not do," he says.
There's no hard and fast rules about when to call in sick, but there are several factors to consider.
What is going around?More than 40,000 cases of the flu have been reported so far this year, putting us on track for a pre-pandemic average season. At the same time, COVID-19 and RSV continue to circulate, along with coughs and colds.
Melbourne-based GP Preeya Alexander says the situation is "quite scary".
"There are a lot of things circulating in the community. And we don't have a lot of those public health interventions we had earlier in the pandemic in place now."
Dr Vally says we should not underestimate the flu, which people can die from or have long term health consequences.
"We should be thinking about flu in much the same way as we've thought about COVID," he says.
The end of pushing through?It's not an easy decision to stay home, particularly for those who don't have access to sick leave.
Dr Alexander says many of her patients are struggling and there's no longer the financial support that was available during the pandemic.
"What I'm hearing in the clinic is that a lot of people are very reluctant to take time off work, because of the financial implications with mortgage repayments going up and rentals going up," she says.
For those that do have access to sick leave, some feel pressured to push through, or feel guilty about taking a day off in case it leads to more work for others.
That doesn't help anyone in the long run.
Dr Vally hopes that is one thing that we've learnt from COVID.
"The acceptability of turning up to work unwell and soldiering on — which is something that people wore as a badge of honour pre-COVID — I think that's probably disappeared, because we understand the consequences of turning up to work when you're ill and spreading illness," he says.
It's worth remembering that, while your symptoms may be mild, you could spread it to someone who becomes much more unwell.
"Whilst you might have a runny nose and sore throat, for someone else that might be pneumonia, and a hospital admission," Dr Alexander says.
When do you need to stop and rest?Apart from the risk to others, it's important to take the time you need to get better.
It's hard to define exactly how bad your symptoms should be to call in sick.
As a rough guide, fevers, muscle aches and lots of systemic symptoms (things that affect the whole body, like fatigue) require rest.
"By pushing through, you can actually take longer to recover," Dr Alexander says.
A severe sore throat or cough, or generally feeling unwell and very tired, also means you're unlikely to get much done at work either.
"With most viral illnesses, there is no quick fix," Dr Alexander says.
"It is literally things like a good diet high in vitamin C, zinc, iron, rest, fluids, avoiding physical activity."
Timing mattersLike COVID, you tend to be most contagious during the first few days of symptoms, rather than at the end of your illness.
"That is the situation where you're the most infectious and you want to be extra careful, but you can be infectious for quite a length of time," Dr Vally says.
The time of year also matters. If it's the middle of summer, concern about the flu is lower.
"Whereas, you know, as we're heading into the colder months, and we know the amount of flu circulating is likely to increase, you'll probably be more conservative," he says.
Working from home a good compromiseFor employees who have the option to work from home, that can be the perfect middle ground.
If you think you might be coming down with something, you can play it safe by staying home until you know if it's serious or just a passing thing.
Dr Alexander says employers should encourage people to do that.
"You can still work from home through a mild viral illness and actually be quite productive."
But she warns that it should not replace proper days off when that is needed.
"There might be times when you actually, like with influenza, just need to take some time off and rest so that you can get better more quickly," she says.
Get vaccinatedDr Alexander reminds people about the power of prevention.
"Don't forget you do have some control. You can support your immune system with evidence-based measures," she says.
Physical activity, getting enough sleep, managing stress and having a good diet with lots of fruit and veg reduces your risk of getting sick.
Now is also the time to get your flu vaccination before cases start to increase significantly. And if you're eligible for a COVID booster, that can be done at the same time.
"We've seen firsthand how amazing these sorts of vaccines are in relation to COVID. So this is the time to get vaccinated," Dr Vally says.
While COVID was new, the advice about controlling its spread, like washing hands, was based on tried and tested techniques.
"Those basic things of hand hygiene and cleaning surfaces, and not sharing cups and cutlery, all that sort of thing, they're the kind of actions you can do to prevent getting ill."
This is general information only. For detailed personal advice you should see a qualified medical practitioner who knows your medical history.
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