Amy Crawford-Faucher, MD, vice chair of the Primary Care Institute and Department of Family Medicine at Allegheny Health Network, discussed treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) without a vaccine and what a future vaccine could mean for older adults.
Amy Crawford-Faucher, MD, vice chair of the Primary Care Institute and Department of Family Medicine at Allegheny Health Network, discussed treatment methods for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) without vaccine treatment as well as what future vaccines could mean for older adults.
Transcript
RSV has been affecting children at a higher rate this year than in previous years. In the absence of a vaccine, what are the options for treating this disease in infants?
So, in infants, and the very young children who are at most risk, there are certain protocols, for sure, that you can use to treat the symptoms of the virus. But, honestly, a lot of it is just anticipatory guidance to parents to say "This is when you need to worry, this is how we need to see you, or where we need to see you. And this is what you need to do if things worsen."
What do older adults need to know about RSV vaccines?
So I do know that there are some RSV vaccines in the works, but I don't have details about them and when they're going to be ready. So honestly, RSV was one of those viruses that we never really checked for in adults, because it typically didn't make adults very sick. And this has been a strange year, you know, for many reasons.
I think we need to wait and see for vaccines for adults. And I think that if it came through, it'd be probably for the highest risk people who have underlying pulmonary diseases.
Vaccine Hesitancy: COVID-19 to Influenza
October 22nd 2024Vaccine hesitancy grew more prominently in the wake of COVID-19 and the spread of misinformation. This flu season, seeking out reliable sources of health information will help individuals make the best decisions to protect themselves.
Read More
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Trans and Gender Diverse Health Care
June 28th 2024Charlie Borowicz, manager of trans and gender diverse health at Allegheny Health Network, shares how the program offers comprehensive patient-first care to those in the LGBTQ+ and gender diverse community.
Listen
Tailoring Treatment for Alopecia Areata
September 6th 2024Kristen Whitney, DO, FAAD, determines systemic treatment options for severe alopecia areata based on the patient’s medical history, past treatments tried, potential adverse events, in addition to the weighing risk vs benefit of the therapy and the cost for the patient.
Read More