Protect against RSV
RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which is an important cause of a type of pneumonia.
It most often causes mild, cold-like symptoms, and infects up to 90% of children during the first 2 years of life, who often become a source of reinfection for older children and adults. However, babies under one year of age, and older adults, can suffer much more serious infection requiring hospitalisation. Frail older adults with pre-existing medical conditions are most vulnerable to complications and death.
The risk of needing hospitalisation increases with age. No anti-viral medication is effective, so only supportive measures can be used for treatment. Accurate figures are not available because not all cases are fully investigated and reported, but there are estimated to be 1,200 deaths in people aged 45 to 74 years and 4,000 deaths in those aged over 75 years in England each winter.
Two new vaccines are now available to prevent infection; Arexvy and Abrysvo. Both are offered at the Fleet Street Clinic, please check for availability since there have been recent supply issues.
Either can be considered by older, frail adults, and people with a significant history of lung disease or previous severe chest infection.
Arexvy, made by GSK, is licensed for people aged over 60.
Abrysvo, made by Pfizer, is licensed for people aged over 60. Additionally, this vaccine is licensed and recommended during pregnancy, from 28 weeks onwards, to protect newborn infants via maternal antibodies.
The NHS has recently announced that it will be offering the RSV vaccine during pregnancy and to individuals aged 75 to 79 – please check your eligibility and for the latest NHS vaccination criteria, since this may be subject to change. The Fleet Street Clinic is not able to provide vaccinations free of charge via the NHS.
What is RSV?
RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause severe lung infection, both in children and in adults. Most infections are mild, but small babies and frail older adults are especially vulnerable to severe infection and complications.
An important feature of the infection is that it provokes an inflammatory response that damages lung tissue.
RSV Protection for those aged 60 years and older
Older age groups are vulnerable to more serious consequences of RSV.
We offer a choice of two vaccines, Arexvy and Abrysvo, both licensed for those aged over 60.
RSV vaccination for pregnant women
Vaccinating mothers during the last three months of pregnancy is an important way of ensuring that newborn babies receive protection - via transfer of immunity across the placenta.
Only Abrysvo is licensed for use during pregnancy, and ideally should be given between 28 and 36 weeks.
Testing for RSV with rapid results
Respiratory infections can be almost impossible to distinguish from their symptoms alone. They behave differently and may need different treatment, so it is important to find out exactly what is causing your symptoms..
Did you know, our Respiratory Viral PCR Panel includes tests for 22 respiratory viruses and bacteria, including RSV, all from a single swab?
We do this in our own lab, so can normally give you your results in just over an hour.
Is RSV vaccine suitable for children?
Arexvy and Abrysvo vaccines are licensed for adults aged 60 and over. Additionally, the Abrysvo vaccine is approved for use in pregnant women.
Can you test for RSV?
Yes - RSV is one of the viruses included in our Respiratory Panel PCR test.
This test can give you the answers you need very quickly. Once a sample has been processed, we can tell you with certainty whether your respiratory infection is due to RSV or not.
We’ll tailor treatment to your results, so you should recover quicker too.
How can RSV be treated?
There are no suitable anti-viral drugs for treatment.
This is why prevention with vaccination is so important.
Our Patients Speak for Us
Daz Smith
Excellent service and support throughout my appointment process. Dr Griffiths was very supportive.
Jenny Gibson
We booked, we arrived and we had our vaccines. Everything as expected. What really stood out was the level of medical advice from the nurse giving us our injections. It was explained very clearly to us to the level of protection our vaccine would give. As this was a new vaccine the results of medical trials were also highlighted. There was no push to sell more products, just clear advice on what to avoid and what to do to prepare for our trip to the Far East.
Grace G
The travel nurse was lovely and very efficient with giving me vaccines. She even took the time to nurse a wound I had whilst I was there. Really great care.
Connie
After I was let down with little notice by another pharmacy, I called Fleet Street Clinic and was booked in for the next day for my remaining travel jabs. Staff were very welcoming, professional and efficient. I had a great experience and would highly recommend using their travel vaccination services. The prices are very competitive and they had stock of the rabies vaccine when it was out of stock elsewhere!
Iain Guest
I received a first dose of the QDenga vaccine recently from Nurse Becky Arrell at the Fleet Street Clinic. She was quick, efficient, friendly and very knowledgeable. The QDenga is not yet available in the US, where I live, and I'm heading off to South Asia feeling reassured. I highly recommend the Clinic to anyone traveling to far-off lands!
Mark A
My wife and I have attended the Fleet Street Clinic for many years now and found Dr Belinda Griffiths and her team exemplary in all departments. On the back of this I have recommended the clinic to all my family members and Senior Management team.
Mark Tebbit
On repeated occasions over the last year, I have received A1 treatment from the Fleet Street Clinic. Short-notice appointments, face to face and on the phone, for emergency conditions and quick prescriptions from excellent doctors have helped me enormously. The Reception Team are also highly professional. I couldn't recommend it more strongly.
Shaveta Gupta
Very professional, easy to book the appointment over the phone, all queries were answered straight away with assuring answers by the receptionist, competitive prices, nurse was very polite and informative too. Highly recommended.
Emily Lavis
Brilliant clinic, would 100% recommend. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable and the nurse's care couldn't have been better. They managed to fit me in for a same-day appointment and provide me with helpful advice for follow up. Thank you :)
Pamela Cramer
I was treated with kindness and professionalism both during phone calls about whether I was suited to the vaccination and during my visit to the clinic. Follow up was also perfect. Thank you.
FAQs
The preferred way to protect newborn babies is by prior vaccination of their mothers during the last three months of pregnancy, when antibodies transfer easily across the placenta.
An alternative option is to give newborn babies an injection of “ready made” antibodies after birth – and this is now possible in the form of a monoclonal antibody called nirsevimab (Beyfortus).
Nirsevimab is not currently available at the Fleet Street Clinic.
Yes, other respiratory vaccines, including the flu jab, can be given at the same time.
RSV infection causes symptoms similar to a cold, including:
- tiredness,
- a runny nose or blocked nose,
- cough,
- sneezing or nasal congestion,
- and sometimes fever.
Ear infections and croup (a barking cough caused by inflammation of the upper airways) can also occur in children.
Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual.
If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:
- a cough that gets worse
- shortness of breath
- faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
- noisy breathing (wheezing)
- confusion (in older adults)
