Vaccine with virus-like nanoparticles found to be effective treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Researchers at Georgia State University say a vaccine containing virus-like microscopic, genetically engineered particles — i.e.: nanoparticles, has been shown to be an effective treatment for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). According to the Centers for Disease Control, RSV is a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages, and while healthy people usually experience mild, cold-like symptoms and recover in a week or two, RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. Indeed the CDC notes that RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia in children younger than 1 year of age in the United States, with almost all children having been infected with RSV by their second birthday. RSV is additionally is being recognized more often as a significant cause of respiratory illness in older adults. The Georgia State team’s findings, published July 14 in the International...