Respiratory Syncytial Virus causes 2.2 million infant hospitalizations annually

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a major cause of respiratory infections in infants, leading to approximately 2.2 million hospitalizations of children under one year old globally each year. The virus is associated with roughly 66,300 deaths in young children and is a common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia.

At a medical workshop in Ho Chi Minh City organized by the Ministry of Health, experts noted that 9 out of 10 children are estimated to have contracted RSV within their first two years of life. While premature infants or those with underlying conditions are at higher risk, even healthy, full-term infants can develop severe symptoms requiring intensive care or mechanical ventilation.

Dr. Truong Huu Khanh, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Infectious Diseases Association, warned that severe RSV infections in the first year of life can lead to long-term complications, including recurrent wheezing, asthma, and reduced lung function. Medical professionals also cautioned parents against common mistakes, such as using nasal suction tools too deeply or performing home nebulization without medical guidance.