Older adults and adults living with certain underlying conditions are at a greater risk of severe infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)1,2
RSV could catch anyone by surprise—especially if you have certain underlying conditions.2,3
RSV usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms, but certain underlying conditions put adults at greater risk for severe infection.1,2,4,6
You may be doing your best to manage your cardiovascular or respiratory disease, but RSV can still have a negative impact on your disease—including if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, or congestive heart failure (CHF). How negative? RSV infection can cause the severity of the underlying medical condition symptoms you manage every day to get worse and even lead to hospitalisation.1,2,4,5,7
RSV infections can increase the risk of hospitalisation for people with:1,2,4
Diabetes | COPD or Asthma | CHF
RSV can pose an increased risk of hospitalisation for older adults living with certain underlying conditions compared to those without the conditions8*
Diabetes
Approximately
1.7x
more likely to be hospitalised (65-80 years)
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
Approximately
2.5x
more likely to be hospitalised (65-80 years)
COPD
Approximately
9.7x
more likely to be hospitalised (65-80 years)
Asthma†
Approximately
8.2
more likely to be hospitalised (65-80 years)
Congestive Heart Failure
Approximately
4.6x
more likely to be hospitalised (65-80 years)
*Population-based surveillance of acute respiratory illness hospitalisations was linked to national administrative data to estimate seasonal RSV hospitalisation rates among adults aged 18–80 years with the following preexisting chronic medical conditions: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), diabetes mellitus (DM), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Age- and ethnicity-adjusted rates stratified by age group were estimated. Among 883,999 adult residents aged 18–80 years, 281 RSV-positive hospitalisations were detected during 2012–2015 winter seasons. Across all ages, RSV hospitalisation rates were significantly higher among adults with COPD, asthma, CHF, and CAD compared with those without each corresponding condition. RSV hospitalisation rates were significantly higher among adults with ESRD aged 50–64 years and adults with DM aged 18–49 years and 65–80 years compared with adults in each age group without these conditions.
DO YOU KNOW RSV?
True or false: Once a person contracts RSV, they cannot contract it again.
get the answer
False. People can get RSV multiple times throughout their lives.
As you can see, different groups of people can get RSV—but this virus can severely impact older adults and adults living with certain underlying conditions. Some ways you can help prevent RSV infection are:2,4
Wash your hands
Keep your hands off your face
Avoid close contact with sick people
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect surfaces around you
Stay home when you’re feeling sick
In addition to the prevention tips above, talk with your doctor about your risk of complications due to RSV.
Discover Debbie’s RSV story
Learn what happened when Debbie was diagnosed with RSV.
“When the ER doctor told me I had RSV, the first thing out of my mouth was, ‘But I’m an adult!’ I had no idea that an adult could get RSV.” -Debbie, RSV survivor
Learning who is at risk of severe infections from RSV can help protect you and your loved ones.
For further information about RSV, please consult your doctor.9
Any information provided on this website should be discussed with a healthcare professional and does not replace a healthcare professional's advice.
References: 1. Papi A;N Engl J Med;2023;388;595-608 2. CDC;2022;1-2;RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions 3. Mesa-Frias, M;J Manag Care Spec Phar;2022;1-13 4. Branche AR;Clin Infect Dis;2022;74;1004-1011 5. Anderson NW;Diagnostic microbiology and infectious disease;2016;85;367-371 6. Stephens LM;Vaccines;2021;9;624 7. Colosia AD;PLOS ONE;2017;12;1-20 8. Prasad N;Clinical Infectious Diseases;2021;73;e158-e163 9. CDC;June;2018;1-2;Older Adults Are at High Risk for Severe RSV Infection
