Rapid Tests for RSV Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescribing

Rapid Tests for RSV Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotic Prescribing

A retrospective cohort study of 256 children aged 9–36 months found rapid antigen testing for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) reduced unnecessary antibiotic prescribing in primary care, as published in JAMA Network Open. Among tested children, 30.86% were RSV positive. Antibiotic prescribing was substantially lower when RSV was detected: 20.25% of RSV-positive cases received antibiotics compared with 39.55% of RSV-negative cases. The prescription rate was 0.18 vs 0.29 per 10 person-days, corresponding to about a 48% …

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RSV and Flu Tied to Severe Pediatric Respiratory Illness

RSV and Flu Tied to Severe Pediatric Respiratory Illness

In a cohort study of 516 children with viral respiratory infections who were hospitalized, researchers found 34 (6.6%) developed severe disease—defined as a clinical severity score greater than 3 (on a scale of 1-6), as published in JAMA Network Open. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza were strongly associated with worse outcomes. In multivariable analysis, RSV diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 4.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80–10.10) and influenza diagnosis (AOR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.88–9.04) …

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Abstracts in Urgent Care – January 2026

Abstracts in Urgent Care – January 2026

Prevention of RSV Disease in Healthy Infants Take Home Point: In this early phase, drug-manufacturer-funded clinical trial, a single dose of clesrovimab reduced the incidence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated medically attended lower respiratory infection and RSV-associated hospitalization, with a safety profile similar to that of a placebo. Citation: Zar HJ, Simões E, Madhi S, et. al.  Clesrovimab in Infants and Children at Increased Risk for Severe RSV Disease.  New Eng J Med. 2025:393, 13;1292-1303. …

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Cardiovascular Complications Follow RSV Infection 

Cardiovascular Complications Follow RSV Infection 

A Danish study published in JAMA Network Open found that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection was linked to a sustained rise in cardiovascular risk over 1 year in adults aged 45 years or older. In the study population, those with RSV (8,747 individuals) experienced 665 cardiovascular events vs 257 in matched controls (8,747 individuals without infection), yielding a 365-day excess risk of 4.69 percentage points. In this matched cohort study of 17,494 adults, early risk …

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New RSV Vaccine Approved For Infants

New RSV Vaccine Approved For Infants

The Food and Drug Administration this month approved a new vaccine for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in newborns and infants, designed as preventive care for their first RSV season. The long-acting monoclonal antibody clesrovimab-cfor offers protection through 5 months with the same 105 mg dose regardless of weight, according to a press release from manufacturer Merck. Clinical data from multiple trials shows significant reductions in RSV incidence and …

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About 5% of Adults With RSV Experience Hospitalizations

About 5% of Adults With RSV Experience Hospitalizations

Researchers quantified the real-world risk for hospitalization among adults diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in outpatient settings in a study presented in JAMA Network Open. They examined all-cause 28-day hospitalization following outpatient RSV infections among all adults as well as a high-risk subgroup of adults across 6 RSV seasons comprising 67,239 outpatient infections. Data revealed approximately 5% of adults experienced all-cause hospitalization within 28 days following outpatient RSV infections. The analysis showed an absolute …

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All Adults Over 75 Should Get RSV Vaccine: CDC 

All Adults Over 75 Should Get RSV Vaccine: CDC 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated vaccine guidance after its advisory committee recommended that all adults aged 75 years and older and adults aged 60–74 years who are at increased risk should receive a single dose of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. The update reflects CDC’s intent to maximize RSV vaccination coverage among those most likely to benefit and to reduce implementation barriers associated with a previous recommendation that called …

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Abstracts in Urgent Care – March 2024

Abstracts in Urgent Care – March 2024

Omicron versus Flu & RSV – Which is Most Dangerous for Children? Take Home Point: In this study, hospitalization rates were highest for patients with RSV than Omicron (COVID-19) in all age groups of children. Citation: Hedberg P, Abdel-Halem L, Valik J, et. al. Outcomes of Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Infection vs Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections. JAMA Pediatr. 2023 Dec 26: e235734. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.5734 Relevance: With increasing availability for respiratory pathogen testing, it is …

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Texas UC Centers Managing Surge in Respiratory Illnesses

Texas UC Centers Managing Surge in Respiratory Illnesses

Urgent care centers and emergency departments (EDs) in Cook Children’s Medical Centers in Fort Worth and Prosper, Texas, are grappling with a sudden surge in RSV, influenza, and COVID-19. According to the medical center’s website, the hospitals are overwhelmed, struggling to accommodate infants with severe RSV cases. Last week, of the more than 800 RSV tests conducted, 29% were positive, while COVID-19 positivity stood at 4%. The medical center’s urgent care centers see about 800 …

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New RSV Vaccine Recommended For Rationing by CDC

New RSV Vaccine Recommended For Rationing by CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended rationing nirsevimab, the new monoclonal antibody immunization product designed to protect infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), due to strained supply nationwide. Because the supply challenges are occurring during the RSV season, CDC suggested on Monday in a health alert that providers should prioritize available nirsevimab 100 mg doses for infants of less than 6 months of age and infants with underlying conditions that place …

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