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UNDERSTANDING MORE ABOUT RSV AND ITS RISK TO OLDER ADULTS

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Individuals aged 60 and older with chronic diseases are at a greater risk of complications from RSV.2
If you are among the mentioned category, it is recommended to consult your doctor to learn more about the methods of prevention, and treatment of RSV that are appropriate for your condition.2
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WHAT IS RSV, AND HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
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RSV is a contagious respiratory virus. RSV can be spread by touching an infected surface or if an infected person coughs or sneezes and their droplets contact another person's eyes, nose, or mouth.2,5,6
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AGING AND RSV
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Patients over the age of 60 with chronic diseases are at greater risk of RSV complications.1
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RSV AND OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS
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If you are over 60 and living with certain conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, you could be at an increased risk of severe RSV.7
RSV can also cause severe disease in people in long-term care facilities as well as those with a weakened immune system.7
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You may be more vulnerable to complications if you do not adhere to the treatment plan and the advice of the specialist doctor.
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RSV can be a serious virus. Older adults may experience severe RSV-related complications such as difficulty breathing. Please consult with your doctor to learn more about RSV as it relates to your health profile.6
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WHY ARE OLDER ADULTS AT GREATER RISK OF SEVERE RSV?

As people age, the efficiency of the immune system decreases, especially in older adulthood. Therefore, older adults are encouraged to consult their doctor routinely to ensure they are protected against and treated for infectious diseases like RSV.8


Older adults are encouraged to follow their doctor's advice on the best ways to prevent RSV and treat it to avoid complications.8,9

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Failure to implement preventive measures or seek treatment for RSV could result in complications like pneumonia, especially in high-risk individuals.8,9
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RSV SYMPTOMS CAN RANGE FROM MILD TO SEVERE10

RSV can start with mild symptoms that appear to be an ordinary cold, like congestion, runny nose, sore throat, or fever. But RSV may escalate to more severe symptoms.10,11

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Wet cough5

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A cough that produces phlegm or mucus
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Wheezing10

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A high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing
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Grasping for breath11

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Labored or difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
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Pneumonia5

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An infection that causes fluid in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe
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Talk to your doctor to learn more about RSV.

HELP PREVENT AND MANAGE RSV

Consult your doctor to determine if you should receive the RSV vaccine.

Consult your doctor to learn
about the best treatment options
for your case10

Call the doctor's office or go to the hospital if
your symptoms quickly become worse or you
are having trouble breathing10

WAYS TO HELP PROTECT AGAINST RSV

Washing your hands, avoiding close contact with sick people, and cleaning surfaces can help stop the spread of RSV, but there is more you can do.12

Talk to your doctor to learn more about RSV.

References
1- RSV and older adults: Who’s at risk? (2023) MayoClinic.org. Available at: https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/rsv/rsv-and-older-adults-whos-at-risk/ (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

2- RSV in Adults (2024) CDC.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/older-adults/index.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

3- RSV in Infants and Young Children (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/infants-young-children/index.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

4- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) disease (No Date) Who.int. Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/vaccine-standardization/respiratory-syncytial-virus-disease (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

5- About RSV (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/index.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

6- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine VIS (2023) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/vis-statements/rsv.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

7- Healthcare Providers: RSV Vaccination for Adults 60 Years of Age and Over (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/rsv/hcp/older-adults.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

8- Respiratory Viruses and Older Adults (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/risk-factors/older-adults.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

9- Ackerson B, Tseng HF, Sy LS, et al. Severe Morbidity and Mortality Associated With Respiratory Syncytial Virus Versus Influenza Infection in Hospitalized Older Adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2019;69(2):197-203. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy991

10- Symptoms of RSV (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/symptoms/index.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

11- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) (2023) MayoClinic.org. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098 (Accessed: 08 August 2024).

12- Hygiene and Respiratory Viruses Prevention (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/hygiene.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024). 13- Kaler, J., Hussain, A., Patel, K., Hernandez, T., & Ray, S. (2023). Respiratory Syncytial Virus: A Comprehensive Review of Transmission, Pathophysiology, and Manifestation. Cureus, 15(3), e36342. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.36342

14- Zhou, H., Thompson, W. W., Viboud, C. G., Ringholz, C. M., Cheng, P. Y., Steiner, C., Abedi, G. R., Anderson, L. J., Brammer, L., & Shay, D. K. (2012). Hospitalizations associated with influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the United States, 1993-2008. Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, 54(10), 1427–1436. https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cis211

15- How RSV Spreads (2024) Cdc.gov. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/causes/index.html.html (Accessed: 08 August 2024).