Although awareness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) often focuses on infants and young children, infections also cause significant morbidity and mortality among older adults. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that RSV is responsible for 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations annually of children under age 5 years but nearly twice those numbers for adults aged 60 years or older.
Although RSV vaccines for older adults have recently become available, adoption remains low, with only about one quarter of the eligible population immunized. This is concerning because when older adults are hospitalized with RSV, the outcomes can be severe — 18% are admitted to an intensive care unit, and there is a 26% mortality rate within 1 year after admission.
How much do you know about RSV in adults? Check your knowledge with this quick quiz.
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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Adults - Medscape - Feb 13, 2025.
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