Respiratory syncytial virus: Current limitations and future opportunities As the most commonly identified pathogen in lower respiratory viral infection in children and an increasingly recognised pathogen in immunosuppressed adults, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a major burden in both the hospital and community. Injectable preparations of monoclonal antibodies have been available for nearly two decades to prevent RSV disease yet their role remains contentious due to their high cost and moderate effectiveness. There is emerging data on maternal RSV vaccination with late-stage clinical trials currently underway. An effective and easily-administered antiviral has remained elusive with clinician reliant on ribavirin for those with or at risk of severe disease. Promising new agents to treat and prevent complications from RSV are in late-stage of clinical trials giving us the hope that safe and effective RSV prevention and treatment strategies are future realities.