Vaccine expert explains the difference between RSV and Covid-19

The country’s health department has recorded 221 cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among Filipino children from January until August 2022. RSV is a respiratory virus, but how does it differ from Covid-19?

Vaccine Expert Panel (VEP) Chairperson Dr. Nina Gloriani, on Tuesday, Nov. 8, said symptoms of RSV infection usually include runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and fever. Like Covid-19, RSV can be fatal especially in premature children or the elderly, according to Gloriani.

“Respiratory din ang manifestation nito parang Covid, parang flu, pero ibang klaseng virus ito. Mga bata, especially mga infant . Pero yung mga elderly ay masama rin ang magiging lagay kung magkakaroon sila (Its respiratory manifestation is also like Covid and flu, but it is a different type of virus. Children, especially infants, are most vulnerable to RSV, but the elderly may also be in a bad situation if they get infected),” said Gloriani in an interview over DZRH.

On the other hand, although children may be infected with Covid-19 too, Gloriani stressed that adults, as well as individuals with comorbidities, are more likely to have serious symptoms based on diagnosed cases so far.

Meanwhile, RSV-specific vaccines are being studied and developed but none are commercially available yet.

“Noon pa ‘yan ay ginagawan na ng bakuna ngunit hindi naging maganda ang resulta ng manufacturing o development at nagkaroon ng hindi magandang side effects (Even then, vaccines were being made but the results of manufacturing or development were not good and there were bad side effects),” she added.

This, however, is normal according to Gloriani as all vaccines need to be thoroughly studied. With the current and improved technology, the expert said she is hoping that RSV-targeted vaccines will be available soon.