In an era where traveling is easy, taking your family and young children on trips is a beloved activity for many. Whether it's booking domestic flights, tickets to Bangkok, or international flights, frequent visits to children's attractions may increase the risk of contracting various viruses. One virus to be particularly cautious of is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). This virus can cause respiratory infections, which can be especially dangerous for young children and the elderly. When planning to book Bangkok flights and take your young children or family to places such as children's attractions in Bangkok, be sure to consider ways to prevent RSV infection.

RSV, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus, is an enveloped virus that can cause respiratory infections. Once the body is infected with RSV, it will produce antibodies, but these antibodies do not last long, making it possible to get infected multiple times throughout life.

Patients infected with the RSV virus typically show symptoms within 2-8 days. Initial symptoms are similar to the common cold, such as fever, cough, sneezing, nasal congestion, and runny nose. If the virus spreads to the lower respiratory tract, it may cause bronchiolitis or pneumonia. In severe cases, patients may experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, and cyanosis, requiring immediate hospitalization, as it can be life-threatening.

The RSV virus can spread through various secretions such as mucus, saliva, or droplets from coughing or sneezing. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated objects like toys, doorknobs, tables, and chairs, where the RSV virus can survive for several hours.

The groups of people at high risk of RSV infection include:

Preventing RSV infection is crucial as there is currently no specific treatment for this virus. Preventive measures include:

In addition, there are medications and vaccines available to prevent RSV infection in high-risk individuals, particularly at-risk children. Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for preventing RSV infection in high-risk children.

How should Palivizumab be administered? The recommended dosage is 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, injected intramuscularly. It is recommended to start injections before the RSV outbreak season and continue monthly for a total of 5 months (5 injections). This medication can reduce the risk of hospitalization, decrease the duration of hospital stay, and lower the likelihood of admission to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Palivizumab is effective in reducing hospital admissions due to RSV infection by 78% in preterm infants (born before 35 weeks of pregnancy) and by 39% in children with chronic lung disease (BPD). Additionally, it significantly reduces hospital admissions in infants and young children with congenital heart disease affecting the circulatory system (HS-CSD) by 45%.

Common side effects include fever, rash, and localized pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site. These symptoms are usually mild and resolve within a few days.

For adults aged 60 and older, and adults aged 50 to 59 with a high risk of diseases caused by RSV, it is recommended to receive the recombinant subunit vaccine, which contains the RSV virus protein. This vaccine helps stimulate the production of antibodies to prevent lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) caused by RSV.

The vaccine is administered intramuscularly as a single dose. It has an efficacy rate of 82.6% in preventing LRTD caused by RSV in adults aged 60 and older. In adults aged 60 and older with at least one of the following conditions: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, chronic respiratory/pulmonary disease, chronic heart failure, diabetes, chronic liver or kidney disease, the vaccine has a 94.6% efficacy rate in preventing LRTD caused by RSV.

Common side effects include pain at the injection site, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and joint pain. These symptoms are usually mild and resolve within 2-3 days after vaccination.

Preventing RSV infection is crucial for maintaining the health of your young children and family. Whether avoiding contact with infected individuals, washing hands frequently, or maintaining personal hygiene, it is essential. Additionally, administering Palivizumab for high-risk children and vaccinating elderly and high-risk adults are effective methods to prevent RSV infection.

If you plan to take your young children or family to visit Bangkok, ensure you are prepared and protect against RSV by maintaining everyone's health. Besides being safe from RSV, make sure you have planned your trip by booking Bangkok flights and arranging safe visits to children's attractions to ensure a smooth and healthy journey for you and your family.