In the trenches: a pediatrician's perspective on prevention and treatment strategies for RSV disease

Abstract

Pharmacologic options in the treatment of RSV infection have no or minimal effectiveness. Therefore, for infants at high risk of RSV infection, proper hand hygiene, limiting exposure to infection, and immunoprophylaxis with palivizumab is paramount. The first injection of palivizumab must be given prior to the start of the local RSV season and subsequent injections should be administered every 30 days to provide protective levels until the end of the RSV season. Pediatricians should anticipate the start of the RSV season and attend to reimbursement issues and obtain all necessary approvals well in advance of the time when the first injections will be given. Compliance is the key to providing protection for high-risk infants. Compliance has a positive association with decreasing RSV hospitalization rates; however, it is difficult for pediatricians to achieve optimal compliance on their own. A collaborative effort involving the hospital and NICU, pediatrician, parent, home care provider, and insurer is necessary to achieve optimal compliance.