Clinical Outcomes Similar in Older Adults With RSV- vs Influenza-Associated ARI
RSV-related ARI was associated with a significant hospitalization burden in older adults, but its clinical severity was similar to that of influenza-related ARI.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) represents a significant cause of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in adults aged 65 years and older in England, with incidence and outcomes that are broadly comparable with influenza-associated ARI, according to study results published in the Journal of Infection.
Researchers sourced data from a hospital-based surveillance system to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and outcomes of RSV-associated ARI among older adults in England from 2023 to 2024.
Clinical outcomes were captured prior to the introduction of the RSV vaccine. Study patients were aged 65 years and older, hospitalized for at least 24 hours with symptomatic ARI, and tested positive for RSV, influenza A/B, or SARS-CoV-2 within 48 hours of admission.
Author's summary: RSV and influenza have similar clinical outcomes in older adults.