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Why Is RSV Hard to See? Loading Who Can Get Infected? Loading
What Does RSV Infection Look Like?
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UNCOVER RSV
A VIRAL RESPIRATORY THREAT1

RSV CAN BE EASILY MISTAKEN FOR INFLUENZA1

RSV CAN BE EASILY MISTAKEN FOR INFLUENZA1

LEARN MORELoading
Infections with RSV and influenza present with strikingly similar symptoms, making it nearly impossible to distinguish them based on clinical presentation alone.1
LIKE INFLUENZA, RSV IS AN RNA VIRUS THAT IS2:

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS3-5

HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS3-5

  • RSV is spread through close contact with infected individuals or contact with a contaminated surface3
  • RSV particles can survive on contaminated surfaces for prolonged periods, including skin (30 minutes), fabrics (2 hours), gloves (5 hours), and furniture
    (7 hours)5
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SEASONAL6-8

SEASONAL6-8

  • RSV incidence tends to overlap with influenza season, typically occurring between late fall and early spring in the US6,7
  • The disease still has an element of unpredictability: the seasonal time frames shift from location to location and from year to year, sometimes by as much as 1 month8
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A COMMON CAUSE OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION (ARI)1,3,5

A COMMON CAUSE OF ACUTE RESPIRATORY INFECTION (ARI)1,3,5

  • While most people experience mild symptoms that resolve on their own, RSV-associated acute respiratory infection (ARI) can in some cases cause severe respiratory symptoms1,3,5 
  • RSV-associated ARI that affects the lower respiratory tract can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia1,3,5
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Most people get infected with RSV by 2 years of age, and reinfection can happen throughout life.9,10 
FOR SOME PEOPLE, RSV CAN BE JUST AS SERIOUS AS INFLUENZA11-15

IN INFANTS AND
YOUNG CHILDREN12,13*

IN INFANTS AND
YOUNG CHILDREN12,13*

RSV has exhibited higher mortality rates than influenza in infants12

In a study from Washington State, the incidence of RSV in young children seen at outpatient clinics was 3-7x higher than that of influenza13 
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IN SOME ADULTS WITH CERTAIN RISK FACTORS14

IN SOME ADULTS WITH CERTAIN RISK FACTORS14

Among adults who are immunocompromised or have an underlying condition like COPD or CHF, RSV has been associated with medical resource utilization similar to that of influenza14
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IN OLDER ADULTS15†

IN OLDER ADULTS15†

Adults hospitalized for RSV had longer hospital stays (≥7 days) and worse 1-year survival rates compared with patients with influenza15
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*Children aged 1-4 years.12,13
†According to one study of adults with RSV ≥60 years of age.15

HEAR REAL PEOPLE SHARE HOW RSV HAS AFFECTED THEIR LIVES

UNCOVER RSV
PERSONS OF ALL AGES, BOTH HEALTHY AND WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS, ARE POTENTIALLY SUSCEPTIBLE TO RSV INFECTION16
icon image of a group of people ranging in age from babies to adults.
ALL PEOPLE—THE YOUNG, THE OLD, AND
EVERYONE IN BETWEEN— CAN BE INFECTED BY RSV17
MANY PEOPLE ARE ASYMPTOMATIC OR ONLY EXPERIENCE MILD SYMPTOMS BUT CAN TRANSMIT RSV TO OTHERS18
School-aged children can  inadvertently transmit the virus to family members18,19
In general, healthy adults can unwittingly transmit the virus in the workplace or unknowingly spread the virus to their young children or elderly loved ones1,5,18
People who 
work in hospitals can inadvertently spread RSV
to patients and peers16
THERE ARE STEPS THAT PEOPLE WITH COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS CAN TAKE TO PREVENT
THE SPREAD OF RSV, SUCH AS20:
Covering their coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper shirt sleeve, not hands20
Washing their hands often with soap and water for ≥20 seconds20
Avoiding close contact (eg, kissing, shaking hands, sharing cups 
and eating utensils) 
with others20
Cleaning frequently touched surfaces (eg, doorknobs and mobile devices)20
HOWEVER, SOME PEOPLE ARE AT RISK FOR MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES21,22
PREMATURE INFANTS AND THOSE 6 MONTHS AND YOUNGER22
CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 
2 YEARS WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS22
OLDER ADULTS (≥65 YEARS)21
PEOPLE WITH AN IMMUNODEFICIENCY21,22
PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN UNDERLYING CONDITIONS
such as chronic cardiopulmonary disease21,22
UNCOVER RSV
AN UNDERAPPRECIATED CAUSE OF
RESPIRATORY INFECTION1,5
RSV INFECTION TYPICALLY BEGINS WITH COMMON SYMPTOMS OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION (URTI) BUT CAN PROGRESS TO LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTION (LRTI)3,5
Click the dots to see the symptoms

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In certain patients, especially those with risk factors for severe disease, RSV can progress to the lower respiratory tract, which, in some individuals, may lead to more serious consequences.1,3
Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.Illustration of respiratory track showing points where RSV infection symptoms could occur.
NASAL CONGESTION3,5
RHINORRHEA5
COUGH3,5
In certain patients, especially those with risk factors for severe disease, RSV can progress to the lower respiratory tract, which, in some individuals, may lead to more serious consequences.1,3
WHEEZING1,3
BRONCHIOLITIS5,6
PNEUMONIA3,22
Illustration for demonstration purposes only.
SYMPTOMS OF RSV INFECTION CAN RANGE FROM MILD 
COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS TO SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS 6,14,24,25
SYMPTOMS OF RSV INFECTION CAN RANGE FROM MILD 
COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS TO SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS6,14,23,26

IN INFANTS AND
YOUNG CHILDREN6,25,26

IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN, CLINICAL PRESENTATION MAY INCLUDE6,25,26

  • Bronchiolitis6
  • Pneumonia25
  • Croup25
  • Apnea26
  • Upper respiratory tract infection25
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IN SOME ADULTS WITH CERTAIN RISK FACTORS27,28

IN SOME ADULTS WITH CERTAIN RISK FACTORS, CLINICAL PRESENTATION MAY INCLUDE27,28

  • Respiratory failure28
  • Prolonged hospitalization28
  • Death28
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IN OLDER ADULTS3,5

IN OLDER ADULTS, CLINICAL PRESENTATION MAY INCLUDE3,5,21

  • Upper respiratory tract infection3,5
  • Exacerbation of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and chronic heart failure14
  • Pneumonia21
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UNCOVER RSV
A VIRUS THAT EXPOSES SOME TO POTENTIALLY SERIOUS OUTCOMES1,3,5,14

RSV IS A HIGHLY INFECTIOUS VIRUS, ESPECIALLY IN INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN5

Infants can be highly susceptible to RSV due to their inability to mount innate
antiviral immune responses and because their airways are particularly vulnerable to inflammation and obstruction.3,5

AMONG INFANTS, RSV IS ESTIMATED TO CAUSE3:

40%-90% 

of hospitalizations due to bronchiolitis3

UP TO 50% 

of hospital admissions due to pneumonia3

ANNUALLY IN THE US, CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS INFECTED WITH RSV HAVE BEEN ESTIMATED TO ACCOUNT FOR APPROXIMATELY29‡:

1 IN 334

hospitalizations29

1 IN 38

visits to an emergency department29

1 IN 13

visits to a primary care office29

‡Based on a 2009 study that determined the population-based burden of RSV infection among 919 hospitalized children and outpatients in emergency departments and primary care settings. The study used data from the New Vaccine Surveillance Network, a prospective, population-based inpatient and outpatient surveillance for acute respiratory infections among children under 5 years of age in 2000 in Nashville and Rochester, New York; and in 2003 in Cincinnati.29

SEASONAL INCIDENCE OF MEDICALLY ATTENDED RSV IS ~2X HIGHER FOR INFANTS
(6-11 MONTHS) THAN FOR OLDER CHILDREN (24-59 MONTHS)30§

§Based on a 2016 study that described the seasonal incidence of inpatient and outpatient medically attended RSV and influenza over multiple seasons in a community-based cohort of 2384 children aged 6 to 59 months. The study focused on children living in the central region of the Marshfield Epidemiologic Study Area (MESA), a dynamic, population-based cohort of approximately 54,000 residents living in 14 ZIP codes surrounding Marshfield, Wisconsin. Nearly all MESA residents received their medical care from Marshfield Clinic, an integrated, multispecialty healthcare system serving the MESA population.30
 

IN AN RSV EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY THAT EVALUATED PATIENTS ACROSS 5 RSV SEASONS IN WASHINGTON STATE, THE MEAN ANNUAL INCIDENCE OF MEDICALLY ATTENDED RSV IN PATIENTS <18 YEARS OLD SHARPLY DECREASED WITH INCREASING AGE13||:

184.4
per 1,000

(1 year)13

110.9
per 1,000

(2-4 years)13

31.4
per 1,000

(5-9 years)13

10.3
per 1,000

(10-17 years)13

||Based on a 2021 study of the incidence of medically attended ARI due to RSV in children (≥1 year) and adults across 5 influenza seasons in Washington State (2011/2012-2015/2016).13

SOME ADULTS FACE A HIGHER RISK OF RSV-ASSOCIATED
MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY14

Chronic heart disease, COPD, asthma, and other selected comorbidities are all risk factors for severe RSV disease.14

IN A STUDY OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH CORE RISK FACTORS# FOR SEVERE RSV OR INFLUENZA INFECTIONS14:

A GREATER PROPORTION OF PATIENTS WITH RSV AND CORE RISK FACTORS REQUIRED HOSPITAL STAYS >3 DAYS COMPARED TO PATIENTS WITH INFLUENZA AND CORE RISK FACTORS14

RSV PATIENTS EXPERIENCED MORE COMPLICATIONS DURING 
HOSPITALIZATION, INCLUDING LOWER RESPIRATORY COMPLICATIONS, CARDIOVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS, AND BACTERIAL SUPERINFECTIONS, COMPARED TO PATIENTS WITH INFLUENZA14

#Core risk factors included any one or a combination of the following: age ≥65 years, chronic heart disease, COPD, and asthma.14

OLDER ADULTS ARE AT GREATER RISK FOR POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES1,31

Immunosenescence, or natural age-related immune system deterioration, can lower immune responsiveness, making older adults more susceptible to RSV infection. Even the most vital and active older adult will experience some immunosenescence as a consequence of aging.1

IN A STUDY THAT INCLUDED ADULT PATIENTS WITH RSV (INCLUDING THOSE WITH AND WITHOUT UNDERLYING CONDITIONS), OLDER ADULTS HAD WORSE OUTCOMES THAN THOSE 18 TO 49 YEARS OF AGE, INCLUDING31:

>3X AS MANY 
HOSPITALIZATIONS

for patients aged ≥65 years compared with patients 
aged 18-49 years31

LONGER 
HOSPITAL STAYS

for patients aged ≥65 years 
compared with patients 
aged 18-49 years31

UP TO 2X AS MANY 
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT 
AND OUTPATIENT VISITS

for patients aged ≥65 years compared with patients 
aged 18-49 years31

IN OLDER ADULTS (AGED ≥60 YEARS) WITH RSV7:

THE RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION, AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISIT, OR PNEUMONIA HAS BEEN REPORTED TO BE ~2X GREATER IN THOSE WITH OR WITHOUT COMORBIDITIES7

**Data presented above highlight the annual healthcare resource use and costs of the burden of RSV in those ≥65 years and 18-49 years. From a large observational study analyzing 11,000 patients ≥1 year (patients stratified by age group from ≥1 year to ≥85 years) with an RSV event in the US with follow-up data for 12 months.

DESPITE THE BURDEN OF DISEASE DUE TO RSV, CURRENT TREATMENT OF RSV ILLNESS IS SUPPORTIVE CARE, AND THERE ARE NO WIDELY AVAILABLE, SPECIFIC PREVENTION OPTIONS21