CHRONIC LUNG OR RESPIRATORY CONDITIONS CAN INCREASE THE RISK FOR SEVERE RSV IN ADULTS1

Consider the risk for patients with chronic pulmonary conditions2

 

The CDC identifies chronic lung or respiratory disease as a risk factor for severe RSV in adults 50 to 74 years of age and recommends vaccination.2*

  • *

    Chronic lung or respiratory disease includes: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, asthma, interstitial lung disease, or cystic fibrosis.2

Older female patient lying in a hospital bed with oxygen tubes in her nostrils and an IV in her hand

In a retrospective study of adults 60 years of age and older, patients hospitalized with an RSV infection experienced pulmonary complications including3†‡:

  • Pneumonia (47.4%)
  • Tachypnea§ (77.5%)
  • Low Oxygen Saturation (74.9%)
  • Oxygen Supplementation# (23.5%)
  • Respiratory Exacerbation∥ (16.9%)
  • †

    An observational, retrospective, cohort study conducted at an integrated health system evaluated adults aged ≥60 years hospitalized with RSV infection (n=645) or influenza infection (n=1878) over 5 consecutive seasons between January 2011 and June 2015 to compare demographics, prehospitalization characteristics, hospital utilization, and clinical outcomes.3

  • ‡

    In the RSV cohort, the prevalence of certain comorbidities in 1 year prior to admission include congestive heart failure (35.3%), COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema (29.8%), and asthma (26%).3

  • §

    Defined as highest measured respiratory rate >22 breaths per minute.3

  • Lowest O2 <93%.3

  • #

    >5 liters of oxygen per minute.3

  • ∥

    Defined as COPD, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.3

RSV can also pose risks for adults with cardiovascular conditions2

SEE CARDIOVASCULAR RISKS >
  • CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; RSV=respiratory syncytial virus.

References

  1. Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). Clinical overview of RSV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed September 26, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html

  2. Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). RSV vaccine guidance for adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccine-clinical-guidance/adults.html

  3. 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. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy991