Overview

RSV can be dangerous for certain adults. Each year, an estimated 110,000–180,000 adults ages 50 and older in the United States are hospitalized due to RSV. In general, the risk of severe RSV illness rises with increasing age and if you have certain risk factors.

Risk factors for severe RSV illness

Adults at highest risk for severe RSV illness include:

• Adults ages 75 and older
• Adults with chronic heart or lung disease
• Adults with weakened immune systems
• Adults with certain other underlying medical conditions
• Adults living in nursing homes

Severe RSV illness

When adults get RSV, they typically have mild cold-like symptoms, but some may develop pneumonia (an infection in the lungs). Adults who get very sick from RSV may need to be hospitalized. Severe RSV illness can be fatal for some adults.

RSV can sometimes also lead to worsening of other serious conditions such as:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – a chronic disease of the lungs that makes it hard to breathe
• Heart failure – when the heart can’t pump enough blood and oxygen through the body