Being an older adult can put you at increased risk for severe infections from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
If you’re an older adult, RSV could cut your plans short.
While you may be doing everything you can to stay healthy, the immune system typically weakens with older age, and has a harder time fighting off infections, such as those from RSV.
While RSV infections are typically mild, there is still a possibility it could pose a severe threat, especially in older adults.
Part of that severe threat is that RSV infection can cause serious complications, such as exacerbation of congestive heart failure (CHF), asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older adults.
In older adults, RSV is a significant cause of pneumonia and other severe lower respiratory tract complications. RSV can cause severe infections that may lead to hospitalisation in adults aged 60 and older and adults living with certain underlying conditions like CHF, asthma, and COPD.
DO YOU KNOW RSV?
True or false: Only babies can contract RSV.
get the answer
False. People of all ages can get RSV.
RSV infection can have long-term effects on older adults
RSV can diminish your independence, even after recovery. For older adults, certain daily tasks can become challenging after recovering from RSV infection.
Even after recovery, RSV may cause prolonged loss of physical or emotional function in some older adults. These long-term challenges can impact relationships, social activities, productivity, and sleep ability.
Some older adults (aged ≥60) hospitalised with RSV may require certain aid upon being discharged, such as:
- Taking on a home health service
- Moving to a skilled nursing facility
- Moving to a residential facility or nursing home
Certain people hospitalised with RSV may even have to be readmitted to the hospital 6 months after discharge.
Disease awareness information provided by GSK Ireland. This information does not constitute personal medical advice, please speak to your GP, practice nurse, or pharmacist to discuss how to manage the risk of RSV.
If you experience any side effects while taking a medicinal product, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. Adverse events should be reported directly to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) on their website: Reporting Suspected Side Effects (hpra.ie).
