(StatePoint) Each year, up to 160,000 older adults living in the United States are hospitalized and as many as 10,000 die due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a highly contagious virus that spreads through close contact with infected individuals, typically increasing during the fall and peaking in winter.
While most people with RSV develop mild symptoms, like that of a common cold, RSV can cause severe illness in older adults, especially those with certain medical conditions, like chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease or a weakened immune system. That’s why the American Lung Association, with support from GlaxoSmithKline, is encouraging adults at increased risk for severe illness to protect themselves against RSV. Here’s what they want you to know:
Severe Illness is Preventable: In 2023, RSV vaccines became available to help protect older adults from severe RSV illness, however, according to the most recent data, only 24% of older adults received it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends RSV vaccination for adults aged 75 and older, and adults ages 60 to 74 at increased risk for severe RSV disease. You can get vaccinated any time, but the best time to receive an RSV vaccination is late summer and early fall before RSV starts to spread in the community. If you have already received an RSV vaccine, you do not need another one. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether RSV vaccination is recommended for you.
“Vaccination is critical to saving lives and reducing hospitalizations during the respiratory virus season, but unfortunately, not enough older adults are getting vaccinated and disparities persist that put some populations at increased risk of severe illness,” says Albert Rizzo, MD., chief medical officer of the American Lung Association.
National Immunization Survey data shows that RSV vaccination rates vary, with 27% of white/non-Hispanic adults having received a vaccine, compared to 21% of Black/non-Hispanic adults, and 15% of Hispanic/Latino adults. At the same time, Black and Hispanic/Latino populations have higher rates of underlying conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV illness.
Healthy Habits Can Also Help Stop the Spread: In addition to vaccination, you can help stop the spread of RSV with these everyday actions:
- Washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue
- Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
- Staying at home when you are sick and avoiding close contact with others
- Cleaning frequently touched surfaces
- Taking steps for cleaner indoor air
For more information about RSV in adults and to learn steps to prevent severe illness, visit Lung.org/rsv.
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. However, if you do get sick with RSV this winter, be sure to watch for signs of severe illness, such as shortness of breath and worsening symptoms, and seek prompt medical attention if needed,” says Dr. Rizzo.