RSV Epidemiology: Understanding Regional Trends and At-Risk Pediatric Populations

Dr. Munoz opens the program by introducing the expert panel and setting the stage for a broad, clinically relevant discussion. Dr. Tan establishes that RSV is one of the most common causes of acute respiratory tract infection across all age groups and typically circulates in the U.S. from fall through spring (October to April). She highlights important regional variability: the RSV season begins as early as June in Florida and southern states and extends later in the year, with some areas documenting RSV-associated outpatient visits and hospitalizations virtually year-round. This regional heterogeneity has significant implications for the timing of preventive interventions.

Dr. Creech then addresses pediatric risk factors, emphasizing that very young age is the single greatest risk factor — as the airway lumen is smaller, RSV causes turbulent airflow and severe respiratory disease in infants. Additional high-risk groups include children with congenital heart disease, chronic lung disease (including cystic fibrosis), prematurity with associated chronic lung disease, and those with neuromuscular disorders where mechanics of airflow are compromised. Immunodeficiency and immunosuppression are also noted. The panel underscores that protecting young children from RSV also benefits their older family members, demonstrating the intergenerational nature of RSV's impact.

In the next episode, "RSV Risk Factors Across Age Groups: From Infants to Older Adults," Dr. Simões expands the risk discussion to include older adults, global seasonality patterns, and how cumulative risk factors — rather than individual conditions — drive hospitalization risk.