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When your patients exhibit respiratory symptoms, the cause might not be clearLearn more about the risks of overlooking RSV in your high-risk older adult patients.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious pathogen and its incidence tends to overlap with influenza season.1-3

RSV can affect anyone and, in some populations, can progress to severe outcomes and hospitalization2,4,5

Those at a higher risk for severe RSV infection include2,5:

 Potential outcomes for at-risk adults

Individuals who contract RSV typically present with mild, cold-like symptoms (eg, runny nose, sore throat, cough, and headache). Those infected with RSV may recover in 3-5 days; however, RSV can be associated with serious complications in certain at-risk populations that could lead to hospitalization.2,6,7

RSV Uncovered: bringing the impact of RSV illness out of the shadowsHear about the impact of RSV from experts Peter Openshaw, MD, PhD, Lung Infection Specialist & Immunologist and Edward Walsh, MD, Infectious Disease SpecialistRSV Uncovered Broadcast Episode 1: Speaker IntroductionRSV Uncovered Broadcast Episode 2: Disease OverviewRSV Uncovered Broadcast Episode 3: Burden of IllnessRSV Uncovered Broadcast Episode 4: Trends in RSV InfectionRSV Uncovered Broadcast Episode 5: RSV Treatment OptionsRSV Uncovered Broadcast Episode 6: Conclusion - Working towards RSV Burden ReductionRSV in older adults

Like influenza, RSV can result in serious outcomes in certain patients2,8,9

Scroll left to view table
In one study of adults hospitalized with RSV, the following serious complications occurred10

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

  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. RSV can lead to serious pulmonary complications in older adults with certain chronic conditions11

Some adults with confirmed RSV, who also had CPD or COPD, experienced the following pulmonary complications11‡:

CPD=cardiopulmonary disease.From a US-based observational study that examined data over 5 seasons from 645 adults ≥60 years hospitalized with RSV.RSV in other at-risk adults

Some adults face a higher risk of RSV-associated morbidity and mortality.2

Chronic heart disease, COPD, asthma, and other selected comorbidities are all risk factors for severe RSV disease.12

In the HARTI study of adult patients with core risk factors for severe RSV or influenza infections12:

A greater proportion of patients with RSV (n=120) and core risk factors (eg, ≥65 years, chronic heart or renal disease, COPD, and asthma) required hospital stays >3 days compared with patients with influenza (n=280) and the same core risk factors.12

RSV patients in the same HARTI study also experienced more complications during hospitalization compared with patients with influenza, which included12: 

HARTI=Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection.Know the burden that RSV can beHear firsthand how RSV has affected the lives of real people.

Help stop the transmission of RSV

Despite the burden of disease due to RSV, current treatment of RSV illness is supportive care.2,4 

There are simple things that your patients can do to help stop the transmission of RSV at home and in the workplace.

Remind your patients to2:    

 Additional strategies to help keep the patients in your practice healthy:

Encourage your adult and at-risk patients to stay up to date on recommended vaccines
that can help protect them from life-threatening viruses and diseases.

ReferencesReferences:Bueno SM, González PA, Cautivo KM, et al. Protective T cell immunity against respiratory syncytial virus is efficiently induced by recombinant BCG. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008;105(52):20822-20827.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV): RSV in older adults and adults with chronic medical conditions. Updated July 14, 2023. Accessed July 23, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/older-adults.htmlTalbot HK, Belongia EA, Walsh EE, Schaffner W. Respiratory syncytial virus in older adults: a hidden annual epidemic. Infect Dis Clin Pract (Baltim Md). 2016;24:295-302.Hall CB. Nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus infections: the "Cold War" has not ended. Clin Infect Dis. 2000;31(2):590-596.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV): RSV in infants and young children. Updated August 4, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/high-risk/infants-young-children.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV): symptoms and care. Updated September 6, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/symptoms.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV): for healthcare providers. Updated August 4, 2023. Accessed September 11, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/clinical/index.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV research and surveillance. Updated October 2022. Accessed January 10, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/research/index.htmlCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. Past seasons estimated influenza disease burden. Updated October 18, 2022. Accessed January 13, 2023. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/past-seasons.htmlTseng HF, Sy LS, Ackerson B, et al. Severe morbidity and short- and mid- to long-term mortality in older adults hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus infection. J Infect Dis. 2020;222(8):1298-1310.Ackerson B, Tseng HF, Sy LS, et al. Severe morbidity and mortality associated with respiratory syncytial virus versus influenza infection in hospitalized older adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2019;69(2):197-203.Hartnett J, Donga P, Ispas G, et al. Risk factors and medical resource utilization in US adults hospitalized with influenza or respiratory syncytial virus in the Hospitalized Acute Respiratory Tract Infection study. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2022;16(5):906-915. Learn more about RSV in infants and young children Learn more Loading
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Patient safety is of paramount importance throughout the life cycle of a medicine - and pharmaceutical companies have ethical and regulatory responsibilities to monitor the safety of the products they sell for as long as they are used by consumers anywhere in the world. The Drug Safety Unit at Pfizer Corporation Hong Kong Limited. address product experience reports including adverse events. If you have any experience pertinent to the above, please contact us at (852) 2811 9711 as soon as possible.

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