He Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) It is known to be one of the main causes of bronchiolitis In infants, however, it also affects older adults, especially those with chronic diseases such as COPD, diabetes or heart failure.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus is one of the main causes of pneumonia and can directly impact the health of older adults.
Chronic diseases significantly increase the risk of RSV hospitalization: asthma increases it up to 2.5 times, COPD up to 13.4 times, and heart failure up to 7.6 times.
These risks are comparable to, or even greater than, those of the influenza virus, highlighting the importance of recognizing RSV as a potentially serious threat to older adults.
In those who are over 65 years of age or in poor health, RSV infection can cause pneumonia and require hospitalization. Hospitalization can last an average of three to six days, and up to 31% of patients may require intensive care.
“The symptoms of RSV infection are similar to those of any other respiratory illness and can range from a cold to potentially serious pneumonia. This makes it difficult to obtain a diagnosis,” said Dr. Diego Litewka (MN 74,394), head of Pulmonology at the Fernández Hospital.
In Argentina, there are an estimated 14,600 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths annually in adults over 20 years of age caused by RSV, mainly affecting adults over 50 years of age.
Although pneumonia is commonly believed to be caused by bacteria, the reality is that many of them are viral. The lack of routine diagnostic tests contributes to the low awareness and underestimation of the viral load of the disease.
“It is important to note that in CT images, RSV pneumonia can adopt a consolidation pattern in up to 60 percent of cases, making it indistinguishable from bacterial pneumonia on radiology,” says Litewka.
Prevention and awareness
It is crucial for older adults and their caregivers to be proactive in preventing respiratory diseases.
Keeping vaccinations up to date is vital to reduce the risk. “RSV infection is a frequent cause of exacerbation of asthma, COPD and pneumonia. That is why the main challenge is its prevention,” adds the expert from the Fernández Hospital.
In addition, it is advisable to adopt healthy lifestyle habits that reduce the spread of germs, such as avoiding close contact with sick people and consulting a doctor at the first signs of respiratory infection. These measures can prevent not only RSV, but also other viral respiratory diseases that can lead to serious complications.
Litewka concludes that “the risk associated with RSV infection is not generally recognized, partly due to the similarity of its presentation with other respiratory diseases and the complexity of the studies necessary for its confirmation. However, the vaccines available for RSV have demonstrated effectiveness and safety.”
What is sometimes thought of as a cold, which may seem harmless, has the potential to cause serious consequences in older adults, especially those with comorbidities.
Source: Ambito
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