Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV): 
A Disease of All Ages

RSV can be serious for people with certain medical conditions and older adults, especially those who are considered frail or live in a nursing home1

RSV is a common and highly contagious virus that affects the lungs and breathing passages.2 Immunity after natural RSV infection wanes, and reinfection occurs throughout life.3,4 RSV is associated with substantial clinical and economic burden in vulnerable adults.1,3,5

Estimated annual burden of RSV infection among adults aged ≥65 years in the US:6

~2.2 million

symptomatic RSV infections6

~177,000

hospitalizations6

14,000

estimated deaths6

Certain chronic medical conditions increase risk* of RSV-related hospitalization4

Asthma
Up to 2.5x more likely†
CAD
Up to 6.5x more likely
Diabetes
Up to 6.4x more likely
COPD
Up to 13.4x more likely
CHF
Up to 7.6x more likely

*Incidence rate ratio among people with each comorbidity vs those without it, in the surveillance area population in adults aged ≥65 years (or 60–79 years for CHF).
†The incidence rate ratio was not significant.

Learn more about RSV in adults below​

Clinical Burden & Risk Factors

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RSV Burden and Mechanism of Disease

Dr. C.J. Rutland

  • Video
  • • 10:24

RSV Disease and Vaccination in Adults

  • Infographic

RSV Disease Animated Video

  • Video
  • • 2:59

RSV Disease in Adults Overview

  • Infographic

RSV Disease in Older Adults: Risk Factors and Demographics

  • Infographic

RSV Disease in Older Adults: Risk Factors and Demographics [SPANISH]

  • Infographic

RSV in Adults: Disease Education Mini-Deck

  • Presentation

RSV in Adults: Disease, Risk Factors, and Diagnosis

Dr. C.J. Rutland

  • Video
  • • 12:05

COPD and RSV Infection Fact Sheet

  • Infographic

RSV Adult Vaccine Recommendations

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ACIP Recommendations for RSV Adult Vaccination

  • Infographic

Health Equity

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A Personal Asthma Story

Dr. P. Gupta

  • Video
  • • 1:32

Prioritizing Health Literacy to Advance Health Equity

Dr. I. Brown

  • Video
  • • 1:36

The Comorbid Patient’s Voice: The Importance of Informed Decision Making in Vaccination

Dr. A. Burnette

  • Video
  • • 2:40

Why I Educate About Respiratory Health

Dr. C.J. Rutland

  • Video
  • • 2:12
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Congress Events

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AAFP FMX 2024 Solution Session 9/26/24 at 11:30am MST

Dr. B. Yawn

  • Congress Activities

AAFP FMX 2024 Solution Session Presentation

Dr. B. Yawn

  • Presentation

CHEST 2024 Speaker Panel 10/8/24 at 2:00 ET

Dr. C.J. Rutland and Dr. J. Mora and Dr. A. Burnette

  • Congress Activities

IDWeek 2024 Learning Lounge 10/17/24 at 10:15am PST

Dr. R. Maves and Dr. A. Goodcoff

  • Congress Activities

Abbreviations

CAD, coronary artery disease; CHF, congestive heart failure; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; RSV, respiratory syncytial virus​

References

  1. CDC. RSV in Adults. Accessed July 29, 2024 https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html Open link icon​
  2. CDC. About RSV in Adults. Accessed July 29, 2024 ​https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/index.html Open link icon
  3. Anderson LJ, et al. Vaccine. 2013;31S:B209–B215.
  4. Branche AR, et al. Clin Infect Dis. 2022;74(6):1004–1011.​
  5. Graham BS, Immunol Rev. 2011;239:149–166.
  6. Falsey AR, et al. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1749–1759.