Patient

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

RSV is a common cause of acute respiratory illness in infants, young children, older adults, and adults with certain comorbidities1

RSV is a common and contagious virus causing repeated infections throughout life, and is associated with significant clinical and economic burden in older adults and adults with certain underlying comorbidities2-4

Virus, RSV

Most children have had an RSV infection by two years of age.4 The protective immunity after RSV natural infection is not long-lasting, and re-infection occurs throughout life.2,3

Medical, Heartbeat

In adults, RSV infection typically results in mild, cold-like symptoms; however, it may lead to serious complications, hospitalisation and death.1

Patient, RSV

Older adults, individuals with comorbidities, and those with weakened immune systems are at increased risk of severe illness from RSV infection.1

Estimated burden of RSV infection in adults and the elderly in the United Kingdom5

Patient

Annual RSV GP visits, 1995-2009

487,247 visits for adults aged 18+ years, of these 175,070 (36%) were in persons aged 65+ years

Stethoscope, Patient, RSV

Annual RSV hospitalisations, 1995-2009

17,799 visits for adults aged 18+ years, of these 14,039 (79%) were in persons aged 65+ years

Medical, RSV

Annual RSV deaths, 1995-2009

8,482 visits for adults aged 18+ years, of these 7,915 (93%) were in persons aged 65+ years

Learn more about RSV disease and its burden in adults:

RSV, Virus

RSV Disease Overview

Click here to learn more about RSV disease

LEARN MORE

RSV, Virus

Risk Factors and Clinical Burden of RSV in Older Adults

Click here to learn more about risk factors and clinical burden of RSV in older adults

LEARN MORE

RSV, Virus

RSV Diagnosis, Prevention, & Management

Click here to learn more about RSV diagnosis, prevention & management

LEARN MORE

Abbreviation

RSV, respiratory syncytial virus

References

  1. Walsh EE. Clin Chest Med 2017;38:29–36.
  2. Graham BS. Immunol Rev 2011;239:149–166.
  3. Anderson LJ et al. Vaccine 2013;31S:B209–B215.
  4. Department of Health Green Book Chapter 27a Respiratory syncytial virus. Accessed September 2023.
  5. Fleming DM et al. BMC Infect Dis. 2015;15:443.

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December 2023 | NX-GB-RSA-WCNT-230008 (V2.0)