RSV: What You Need to Know

Kelsey Phelps

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that affects people of all ages. Infants, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are at a greater risk of severity and complications. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while RSV does not usually cause severe symptoms and illness in many individuals, it can cause bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (infection of the lungs) in older adults and children under 6 months of age. (CDC, 2024)

In addition to its impact on pediatric populations, RSV significantly affects older adults and adults with chronic heart or lung conditions. Each year, an estimated 100,000-150,000 older adults (ages 60 and older) are hospitalized due to RSV (CDC, 2024). The CDC recommends that adults ages 75 and older, as well as adults age 60-74 with an increased risk of severe RSV, get an RSV vaccine. For more information from the University of Michigan about the societal benefits of new RSV vaccines, click here.

It is important for public health initiatives to emphasize vaccination, hand hygiene, and education to reduce transmission, especially during RSV season. Awareness campaigns and equitable access to preventive measures are key to protecting vulnerable populations and minimizing hospitalizations due to RSV.

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References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024c, August 30). About RSV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/index.html
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, August 30). RSV in Older Adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html
• Hutton, D. W. (2024, September 5). New RSV vaccines for older adults can result in individual and societal cost savings, benefits. University of Michigan, School of Public Health. https://sph.umich.edu/news/2024posts/new-rsv-vaccine-for-older-adults-can-result-in-individual-and-societal-cost-savings-benefits.html

Updated 06/10/2025