As we enter the worst time of year for RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), a common cause of respiratory tract infection that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, it’s important to be aware that RSV may cause severe disease, especially in children. In the United States each year, RSV leads to an average of about 55,000 hospitalizations among children younger than 5 years, with most involving infants younger than 6 months. Mild symptoms can be similar to a cold, including runny nose, sore throat, cough and headache. More serious infections include bronchiolitis, which is inflammation of the small airways in the lung, and pneumonia.

This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a health advisory for the southern states to prepare for a bad season. Currently, there is no treatment for RSV, there is only symptom management. To further science, improve lives and protect children in the future, volunteers can currently enroll in a research study for healthy infants and children between 12 months-4 years old.

CMV (Cytomegalovirus) is a leading cause of birth defects. While most people with a healthy immune system never have symptoms, it can cause health problems for some infants. Babies whose mothers develop an active CMV infection during pregnancy can pass it to her baby. This is called congenital CMV infection. About 20% of babies with congenital CMV infection experience long-term effects. Some babies born with no symptoms of CMV can still develop hearing loss when they get older. Other long-term effects could include physical and mental developmental delays, vision loss and more.

There is also no cure for CMV, only symptom management. Preventing expectant mothers from contracting CMV infection provides hope for the future. Healthy women, ages 16-40 may be eligible to participate in a clinical trial to help develop a vaccine to prevent against CMV. To help medical researchers develop treatments to protect babies, children, and adults in the future, consider participating in one of these free clinical trials. To find out more and check eligibility call us at 888-737-7408 or email contact@iacthealth.com.

Originally published in the October 2021 issue of Family and Kids Magazine