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ABOUT RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious pathogen and its incidence tends to overlap with influenza season, typically occurring between November and May in the US.1-3

RSV CAN AFFECT ANYONE3:

Typical presentation includes cold-like symptoms such as runny nose, sore throat, cough, and headache2,4

Infections may resolve within 7 to 14 days4

It can progress to
severe outcomes and hospitalization2,5

It may lead to a worsening of serious conditions like asthma, COPD, and CHF2

CHF=congestive heart failure; COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

PER THE CDC, Adults at a higher risk for severe RSV include 2,6 :

OLDER ADULTS2

THOSE LIVING IN NURSING HOMES
OR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES2

THOSE WITH AN IMMUNODEFICIENCY OR
CHRONIC HEART OR LUNG DISEASE2

THOSE WITH DIABETES OR CERTAIN
OTHER UNDERLYING CONDITIONS2,6

MMWR=Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

See full list of underlying conditions in the MMWR.

Learn more about RSV in infants.
RSV Uncovered: Bringing the impact of RSV
out of the shadows 
RSV Uncovered: Bringing the impact of RSV illness out of the shadows Hear about the impact of RSV from experts, including
Peter Openshaw, MD, PhD, Lung Infection Specialist & Immunologist, and Edward Walsh, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist
Potential outcomes for older adults
Potential outcomes for at-risk adults
In older adults, RSV testing is not routinely performed. Additionally, it is often misdiagnosed as influenza due to their similar clinical presentations and seasonal overlap. Together, these challenges result in an underestimation of the burden of RSV.3

Like influenza, RSV can result in serious outcomes IN OLDER adults 2,7,8

Estimated annual hospitalizations and deaths as reported by the CDC in adults 65 years and older

Hospitalizations*

  • RSV

  • 60,000-160,000

  • INFLUENZA 

  • ~128,000-467,000

Deaths*

  • RSV

  • 6,000-10,000

  • INFLUENZA 

  • [~12,000-43,000]

Estimated annual hospitalizations and deaths as reported by the CDC in adults 65 years and older
  RSV INFLUENZA

Hospitalizations*

60,000-160,000

~128,000-467,000

Deaths*

6,000-10,000

~12,000-43,000

*CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Data estimated from 2015 through 2022. Some of the data used to calculate burden estimates are incomplete or not yet available to the CDC. These estimates will change as those data become available and the estimates are updated.

IN ONE STUDY OF ADULTS 60 YEARS AND OLDER

HOSPITALIZED WITH RSV,
SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS OCCURED 9

From a US-based observational study of adults ≥60 years hospitalized with RSV, approximately two-thirds were ≥75 years and >30% had ischemic heart disease, CHF, diabetes, or COPD/chronic bronchitis/emphysema. In this study†:

18% were
admitted to the ICU

~50% had
confirmed
pneumonia

1 in 6 were readmitted
within 30 days of discharge

†CHF=congestive heart failure; COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
In a US study of 664 hospitalized adults 60 years and older who tested positive for RSV between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2015, identified from Kaiser Permanente Southern California.

YOUR RSV DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR OLDER ADULTS.

Quick tips to help keep the conversation focused.

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IS IT INFLUENZA? IS IT RSV?

Uncover more about RSV in this digital brochure.

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RSV CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS PULMONARY COMPLICATIONS IN
THOSE WITH CHRONIC CONDITIONS10

Those 60 years and older with confirmed RSV, who also had CPD or COPD, experienced the following pulmonary complications10‡:
Pneumonia
Tachypnea
Hypoxia
Greater need for oxygen supplementation

CPD=cardiopulmonary disease.


‡From a US-based observational study that examined data from 645 adults ≥60 years hospitalized with RSV over 5 seasons.

Some older adults face a higher risk of RSV-associated morbidity and mortality11
CHRONIC HEART DISEASE, COPD, ASTHMA, AND OTHER SELECTED COMORBIDITIES ARE ALL RISK FACTORS FOR SEVERE RSV.11

IN A STUDY OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH CORE RISK FACTORS § FOR
SEVERE RSV OR INFLUENZA 11:
A GREATER PROPORTION OF PATIENTS WITH RSV AND CORE RISK FACTORS REQUIRED HOSPITAL STAYS >3 DAYS COMPARED TO PATIENTS WITH INFLUENZA AND CORE RISK FACTORS11

RSV patients experienced more complications during hospitalization, including lower respiratory complications, cardiovascular complications, and bacterial superinfections, compared to patients with influenza11
Lower respiratory complications
Cardiovascular
complications
Bacterial
superinfections
§Core risk factors included any one or a combination of the following: age ≥65 years, chronic heart
disease, COPD, and asthma.11

KNOW THE BURDEN THAT RSV CAN BE

Hear firsthand how RSV has affected the lives of real people.
RSV PREVENTION
There are things that your patients and their families can do that may help prevent RSV.2,12,13
Remind your patients to2,12,13:
Cover coughs and
sneezes
Frequently wash their
hands with soap and water
Avoid close contact
with sick people
Clean and disinfect
surfaces
If eligible, get vaccinated against RSV
For more advanced information on RSV in adults, RSV doesn't just affect adults.
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