RSV Cases Reported as Severe in People Age 75 and Older

HealthDay News reports that most respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-associated hospitalizations among older adults occur in those age 75 years and older. RSV is actually statistically less common among seniors in general, but it is associated with more severe disease than COVID-19 or influenza for those who contract it, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As HealthDay noted, the CDC examined characteristics of adults age 60 and older who were hospitalized with RSV infection during July 2022 to June 2023. The researchers found that in that 60+ age group, 54.1 percent of a random sample of older adult patients with RSV-associated hospitalizations were age 75 or older. Obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and diabetes were the most common underlying medical conditions. Overall, 18.5 percent of patients age 60 and older had severe outcomes, with many admitted to an intensive care unit and/or requiring mechanical ventilation. More than a few died. The researchers recommended that older adults consider RSV disease severity when making a shared clinical decision with their physician about RSV vaccination.