What is RSV?
- RSV is a respiratory virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages. It can cause symptoms consistent with a lower respiratory tract infection, such as pneumonia.
- RSV typically spreads during the fall, winter, and early spring, but can occur year-round in the US. 1
- Symptoms of RSV typically include cough, runny nose, wheezing, sneezing, and a decrease in appetite. RSV can spread easily when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes and is likely to be transmitted by touching a contaminated surface before touching the eyes, nose, or mouth.3
Who is at risk?
- Older adults, including those with weakened immune systems, chronic heart or lung disease are at risk for severe RSV.2 Older adults are more likely to have serious complications due to RSV because as people age, the immune system typically weakens and has a more difficult time fighting off infections.4
- Each year, approximately 177,000 adults 65 years and older are hospitalized in the US due to RSV and an estimated 14,000 of those cases result in death.5 For adults 60 and older, some data suggest that there is an increased risk for severe RSV infection that can lead to hospitalization.6,7
- If you’re an older adult, especially if you have certain underlying medical conditions, it’s especially important to know your risk factors for RSV and speak with a healthcare provider about RSV and vaccination.
What’s it like to have RSV? Hear about Irene’s experience
Prevention
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a single dose of RSV vaccine for adults ages 60-74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV disease and all adults age 75 and older.2
In addition to vaccination, other measures that can be taken to help prevent RSV include: handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick people, covering coughs and sneezes, and disinfecting surfaces.4
Dr. Len doesn’t want RSV to sideline him – or anyone else
In order to protect older adults from RSV, we have to be persistent educators. It’s been so rewarding to go into communities and talk with older adults about risk factors and what they can do to help prevent severe RSV.”
Sideline RSV
GSK’s Sideline RSV is a health education campaign aimed to help older adults and their loved ones know the risks of RSV.
References
- Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed June 5, 2024. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/
- RSV in adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed July 3, 2024. Accessed September 3, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults
- How RSV Spreads. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Reviewed May 30, 2024. Accessed September 12, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/causes/index.html
- Openshaw PJM, Chiu C, Culley FJ, Johansson C. Protective and Harmful Immunity to RSV Infection. Annu Rev Immunol. 2017 Apr 26;35:501-532. doi: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052206. Epub 2017 Feb 6. PMID: 28226227.
- Falsey AR, Hennessey PA, Formica MA, Cox C, Walsh EE. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in elderly and high-risk adults. N Engl J Med. 2005 Apr 28;352(17):1749-59. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa043951. PMID: 15858184.
- Tseng HF, Sy LS, Ackerson B, et al. Severe morbidity and short- and mid- to long-term mortality in older adults hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infection. J Infect Dis. 2020;222(8):1298-1310. doi:10.1093/infdis/jiaa361.
- Belongia EA, King JP, Kieke BA, et al. Clinical features, severity, and incidence of RSV illness during 12 consecutive seasons in a community cohort of adults ≥60 years old. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2018;5(12):ofy316. doi:10.1093/ofid/ofy316.
