As kuala lumpur: Malaysian families welcome the new year with resolutions focused on healthier living and closer family ties, health experts are reminding households not to overlook protection against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a common but potentially dangerous respiratory infection affecting both infants and older adults.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, RSV is often mistaken for a cold or seasonal flu and is one of the leading causes of severe respiratory illness in infants worldwide. Nearly all children are infected by the age of two, with newborns facing the highest risk of serious complications. Consultant paediatrician Dr. Jenny Tan Yen Ling highlighted that RSV causes an estimated 3.6 million hospitalisations and about 100,000 deaths each year globally among children under five, with most fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income countries where access to hospital care may be limited.
Dr. Tan emphasized that RSV is a common cause of severe lung infections in young children, yet many families are unaware of its seriousness. Early awareness and prevention can save lives. Beyond infants, RSV also poses a significant risk to older adults, especially those aged 65 and above or living with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, or chronic lung conditions.
In infants under six months, RSV can lead to rapid and difficult breathing, feeding problems, and disrupted sleep, potentially requiring oxygen support or intensive care. For older adults, symptoms may start mildly but can worsen quickly. In many Malaysian households where grandparents help care for grandchildren, RSV can easily spread through coughs, sneezes, and close contact.
Dr. Tan advised that prevention is the strongest protection against RSV, as treatment options are limited once severe illness develops. Currently, there is no specific medicine to cure RSV, with treatment limited to supportive care such as oxygen, fluids, and monitoring.
Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr. Joyce Lee Chai Yuit pointed out that maternal RSV immunisation is a key preventive measure. Vaccination during pregnancy allows protective antibodies to pass through the placenta to the unborn baby, providing protection during the most vulnerable months of life. Studies show maternal RSV vaccination can reduce severe RSV illness by up to 82% in the first three months after birth, with continued protection through the first six months.
In 2025, the World Health Organisation recommended maternal RSV vaccination for global use, encouraging countries to bolster protection for mothers and babies. RSV also heavily impacts older adults, with hundreds of thousands of seniors hospitalised each year. Vaccines are now available in some countries for adults aged 60 and above.
Dr. Lee stressed the importance of adult children in Malaysian families in encouraging medical consultations and discussions about vaccination. Additionally, simple daily habits such as avoiding contact with newborns when unwell, regular hand washing, improving ventilation, and wearing masks when coughing can help reduce RSV transmission.
As 2026 began, health experts assert that while RSV may not be widely discussed, its impact is significant for families facing hospitalisation and recovery. RSV prevention is a practical addition to the family health checklist, helping to protect both a baby's first breaths and a parent's next.