The Under-Recognized Burden of RSV in Older Adults

Angela Branche, MD, Associate Professor; Infectious Disease Division, URSMD

This presentation will describe

1. The association of RSV with substantial morbidity and mortality in older adults with disease burden comparable to influenza;

2. The susceptibility and mortality to RSV-associated pneumonia with advancing age and the presence of underlying comorbidities (eg, CHF, COPD) that increase the risk of hospitalization among older adults who develop RSV; and

3. RSV symptoms that are nonspecific and can overlap with other respiratory illnesses and PCR is the gold standard for diagnosis.