RSV is a common viral respiratory infection that usually can be easily mistaken for the common cold. But unlike a cold, in some cases, it can progress rapidly to become a serious lung infection and cause other complications such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis. By the age of 2, over 90% of children will be infected with RSV. In infants under 1 year of age, RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization. Most infants hospitalized with RSV are otherwise healthy, born at term with no underlying co-morbidities. RSV is also responsible for substantial outpatient disease burden among children seen in the primary care setting, as well as emergency department visits. Until recently, there were no RSV preventative options available for all infants. In April 2023, Health Canada approved nirsevimab, a long-acting monoclonal antibody for the prevention of RSV lower respiratory tract disease in all infants entering their first RSV season. This session aims to provide an overview of the burden of RSV disease in infants, prevention strategies, and the potential impact of a novel passive immunization approach. Join us to: Understand the burden of RSV disease in infants by reviewing the epidemiology and clinical risk factors for infection, and; review current and emerging RSV preventative strategies, with a focus on passive immunization with nirsevimab.

Join Dr. McConnell on Tuesday, October 31st @ 12:00 p.m. (CST) to learn more about RSV and the importance of immunization.

About Dr. Athena McConnell

Dr. Athena McConnell is a Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist who provides clinical care related to general infectious disease problems and vaccine-preventable diseases. Dr. McConnell completed her medical school training at Queens University, pediatric residency at the University of Alberta, fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Alberta Children's Hospital and Masters of Medical Education through the University of Calgary. She is an Associate Professor in the department of Pediatrics and is the Director, Quality and Accreditation for the College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan.

Prior to taking on the work of undergraduate accreditation, she held several UGME leadership roles including being the Chair of the clerkship subcommittee.

She has served on several undergraduate accreditation survey teams, and is a present member of the Faculty Undergraduate Accreditation Leads group as well as the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools.