26 letters. 26 conversations. One virus.

The A–Z of RSV is a podcast series exploring respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from A to Z.

In each episode, RSV experts explore a different topic, from the science behind the virus and its impact across different ages and populations, to prevention, research and the questions that still remain.

Whether you work in RSV or simply want to understand more, join us as we explore RSV, one letter at a time.

What does RSV have to do with the heart?

In this episode of A–Z of RSV, host Marta Nunes is joined by Prof. Diederick E. Grobbee to explore C for Cardiology and the connection between RSV and cardiovascular disease.

RSV is primarily known as a respiratory infection, but its impact may extend beyond the lungs. Together, Marta and Prof. Grobbee discuss why people with cardiovascular disease may be particularly vulnerable to RSV, and how an acute respiratory infection can place additional stress on an already vulnerable heart.

RSV causes a respiratory infection, but in people with cardiovascular disease, such an infection can also affect the heart. People with cardiovascular disease may be particularly vulnerable to severe RSV disease, while the acute infection can, at the same time, place additional strain on an already vulnerable heart.

They explore how cardiovascular disease can develop silently over time, how viral infections may act as acute triggers, why heart failure deserves particular attention, and what clinicians should know about the relationship between respiratory infections and cardiovascular health.

The conversation also looks at what we still need to learn and why further research is important as new opportunities for RSV prevention become available.

The A–Z of RSV is a ReSViNET podcast series exploring RSV from different perspectives, one letter at a time.

This podcast is part of a ReSViNET educational project supported by GSK.

Stay up to date with the podcast series by subscribing to the RSV newsletter:

https://resvinet.org/sign-up-newsletter/

For more information about ReSViNET, visit:

www.resvinet.org

B is for Burden of Disease

How large is the burden of RSV in infants who are otherwise healthy?

In this episode of The A–Z of RSV, host Lieke de Vrankrijker is joined by paediatric infectious diseases specialist and researcher Joanne Wildenbeest to explore the burden of RSV disease, with a particular focus on healthy term-born infants.

They discuss research showing that RSV burden extends beyond traditionally recognised high-risk groups, including the risk of hospitalisation among otherwise healthy infants and why the youngest babies are particularly vulnerable. The conversation also explores the wider burden of RSV infections managed outside the hospital, the influence of age and seasonality, healthcare-seeking by parents, and the association between RSV and subsequent wheezing.

Looking ahead, Lieke and Joanne discuss how a better understanding of RSV burden can inform prevention and immunisation strategies, and what we still need to learn as RSV prevention is increasingly implemented.

The A–Z of RSV is a ReSViNET podcast series exploring RSV from A to Z with researchers, clinicians and experts from around the world.

Stay up to date with the podcast series by subscribing to the RSV newsletter:

https://resvinet.org/sign-up-newsletter/

For more information about ReSViNET, visit:

www.resvinet.org

This podcast episode is supported by GSK.

What do we know about the relationship between RSV infection early in life, recurrent wheezing and asthma later in childhood?

In this episode of the A–Z of RSV podcast series, host Mauricio Caballero is joined by paediatric pulmonologist and researcher Prof. Renato Stein to explore the complex relationship between RSV and asthma.

They discuss why wheezing in young children does not necessarily mean asthma, the different wheezing phenotypes seen in early childhood, and what research tells us about the association between severe RSV disease, subsequent wheezing and lung function. They also consider an important emerging question: could preventing severe RSV disease early in life reduce the risk or burden of recurrent wheezing later on?

An insightful conversation about what we know, what remains uncertain, and why early-life respiratory infections matter for long-term respiratory health.

Stay up to date with the podcast series by subscribing to the RSV newsletter you don’t want to miss: https://resvinet.org/sign-up-newsletter/

For more information about ReSViNET, go to www.resvinet.org.

This podcast episode is supported by GSK.

In this podcast episode, pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist Lieke de Vrankrijker is in conversation with General Practitioner Albert J. van der Veer shares his knowledge and experiences with RSV.Recorded in 2024.

In this podcast episode, pediatrician and infectious diseases specialist Lieke de Vrankrijker is in conversation with Christine Brantner a gynaecologist who shares her knowledge and experiences with RSV.Recorded in 2024.