Older adults are at risk
The immune system naturally deteriorates over time
About RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious virus that can compromise the lungs and breathing passages. RSV can cause serious infections that can lead to hospitalization and may be life-threatening.1,2
Reducing the spread of respiratory viruses like RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 can:3
Protect others and those at risk of more serious complications3
Decrease pressure on the healthcare system4
Who’s at high risk for severe RSV infection?
Older adults (≥ 60 years)1
Older adults with weakened immune systems5
Older adults with certain underlying conditions:5,6
e.g. Chronic heart disease | Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | Asthma
The impact of RSV in older adults
3–5x as many hospitalizations and longer hospital stays compared to the population aged 18–49 years.8*
1–2x as many emergency department and outpatient visits compared to the population aged 18–49 years.8*
Hospitalization rates with respiratory viral identification underestimate the burden.9†
Highest RSV-attributable costs, particularly at 365 days following infection.10‡‡
Raise RSV awareness in older adults to lessen the impact of RSV.
*Results from a US study that included adult patients with RSV (with and without underlying conditions). Older adults (≥ 65 years of age) had worse outcomes than those 18–49 years of age.8
†Based on respiratory inpatient records extracted from the Canadian Discharge Abstract Database from 2003 to 2014 using a regression model to estimate respiratory hospitalizations attributable to RSV.9
‡Based on a retrospective case-control study to estimate the attributable healthcare costs per RSV case in Alberta. Younger and older age groups had higher inpatient costs than individuals aged 2–49, who had higher physician costs.10
Short quiz!
Take the three-question quiz to test your knowledge.
Begin
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Reducing the spread of respiratory viruses can protect those at risk and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Preventative measures can help reduce the spread.
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- False
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This is true.
All people are potentially susceptible to RSV. However, those with risk factors, like infants and older adults, can cause a burden on the healthcare system.1,11
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Older adults with underlying conditions are at higher risk for serious complications.
- True
- False
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This is true.
Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and chronic heart disease increase the risk of serious complications due to RSV.5,6
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Older adults (≥ 65 years of age) had more hospitalizations and longer hospital stays than patients aged 18–49 years.
- True
- False
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This is true.
According to one study, there were > 3x as many hospitalizations and longer hospital stays in patients ≥ 65 years of age.8
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Learn more about how RSV affects infants.
- Take the quiz on infants
- Retake Quiz
Resources
Visit these sites for more information!
Reducing the spread of respiratory viruses
Guidance on reducing the spread of respiratory viruses
RSV for healthcare professionals
Health Canada information
RSV info for the general public
References :
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Older adults are at high risk for severe RSV illness fact sheet. Updated April 2024. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/factsheet-older-adults.pdf. 2. Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): for health professionals. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv/health-professionals.html. 3. Government of Canada. Respiratory infectious diseases: how to reduce the spread with personal protective measures. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/respiratory-infectious-diseases-reduce-spread-personal-protective-measures.html. 4. Government of Canada. Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada on respiratory illness season. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/news/2023/12/statement-from-the-chief-public-health-officer-of-canada-on-respiratory-illness-season.html. 5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RSV in adults. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html. 6. 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. 7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Older adults. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/older-adults.html#:~:text=As%20people%20get%20older%2C%20their,increasing%20sharply%20with%20advancing%20age. 8. Amand C, Tong S, Kieffer A, Kyaw MH. Healthcare resource use and economic burden attributable to respiratory syncytial virus in the United States: a claims database analysis. BMC Health Serv Res. 2018;18(1):294. 9. Schanzer DL et al. Burden of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and other respiratory viruses and the completeness of respiratory viral identification among respiratory inpatients, Canada, 2003–2014. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2018;12(1):113–121. 10. Rafferty E et al. Evaluating the individual healthcare costs and burden of disease associated with RSV across age groups. Pharmacoeconomics. 2022;40(6):633–645. 11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RSV in infants and young children fact sheet. Updated September 2023. Accessed July 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/downloads/RSV-in-Infants-and-Young-Children.pdf.
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