In Episode 16 of our GUM Health Video Series “No Medicine, What’s Next?”, we tackle an important issue that affects both babies and the elderly: RSV. Although RSV is commonly known for posing a significant risk to young children, it turns out that it’s a major concern for older adults as well. In this episode, we explore preventive measures, particularly vaccination, to reduce the risks associated with this highly contagious virus.

Preventing RSV

RSV has become a key concern due to its ability to cause severe respiratory illness, especially among vulnerable groups like infants and the elderly. In fact, statistics show that around 70% of infants are infected with RSV before the age of 1, and many older adults are at risk as well. With no specific, widely-availabletreatment option available, prevention is essential, and the best method currently available is vaccination.

Vaccination: The Key to Protection

In our conversation with Dr. Chan Fei, Charles, Specialist in Geriatric medicine and Dr. Jimmy Mak, Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology, we discuss how the bivalent RSV vaccine works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against RSV, thus reducing the risk of severe illness and reduce the occurrence of complications caused by RSV infection. This vaccine is especially important for high-risk groups such as infants and individuals aged 60 and above.

Should Pregnant Women and the Elderly Get Vaccinated?

Precautions for pregnant women receiving the vaccine:

Dr. Mak explains that this vaccine effectively protects high-risk individuals, especially infants. The vaccine is not directly injected into the baby but antibodies are passed to the fetus through the mother’s placenta. Therefore, pregnant women should receive the vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to ensure the baby receives adequate protection before birth.

Do elderly individuals need to receive the vaccine? Can individuals with chronic conditions get vaccinated?

Dr. Chan points out that RSV vaccines are also designed for those aged 60 and above, and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, diabetes, or those on immunosuppressive medications. He emphasizes that elderly people should also pay attention to any signs of side effects, such as redness or swelling at the injection site, but these side effects usually resolve in 2-3 days.

Protecting Infants and the Elderly: Daily Prevention Tips

For those caring for infants or elderly relatives, Dr. Mak shares practical tips on how to prevent RSV infection, such as ensuring thorough handwashing before touching babies and avoiding close contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms of cold or flu.

RSV infection can be severe, particularly for infants and the elderly. Timely medical intervention is crucial if symptoms like rapid breathing, fever, and loss of appetite appear. Hospitalization may be necessary for more severe cases, where treatments like oxygen and IV fluids are administered to manage symptoms.

The Importance of Preventive Care

Prevention is always better than cure. Vaccination plays a vital role in protecting the most vulnerable populations from RSV, and everyone can take steps to reduce their risk by maintaining good hygiene and avoiding exposure to infected individuals, particularly during flu season.

What’s Next?

As we wrap up this episode, we encourage everyone—especially those with young children or elderly family members—to stay informed about RSV and take the necessary precautions. In our next episode, we’ll dive into another health video series. Stay tuned!

Want to learn more about the latest trends in employee benefits and how to overcome these challenges?

At GUM, we understand that employee health is closely linked to workplace productivity. In today’s job market, a comprehensive corporate employee benefits plan is crucial for attracting and retaining top talent. Such plans boost employee morale, productivity, and loyalty while reducing absenteeism and turnover. They also strengthen your employer brand by providing financial security and creating a supportive work environment. However, the rising claims rates and increasing demands from vendors make it challenging to offer competitive benefits while keeping premiums manageable. Balancing these factors is essential for creating a benefits plan that is both attractive and cost-effective.

As your employee benefits consultant, GUM ensures sustainable benefits plans by analyzing claims and utilization patterns. We offer flexible benefits solutions that allow employees to choose the benefits that best suit their needs. We focus on designing corporate insurance plans that align with your company’s strategy and goals.

Expert of the Day：

Dr. Chan Fei, Charles

Specialist in Geriatric medicine

Honorary Clinical Assistant Professor,
The University of Hong Kong

• MBBS (HK)
• MRCP (UK)
• FHKAM (Medicine)
• FHKCP
• Dip Ger Med RCPS (Glasg)

Expert of the Day：

Dr. Jimmy Mak

Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynaecology

• MBBS (HK)
• MRCOG (UK)
• FHKCOG
• FHKAM (O&G)