A common respiratory virus that can cause severe illness in infants and older adults. New vaccines and monoclonal antibodies offer protection.
RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can be serious for infants and older adults. In the U.S., RSV leads to approximately 58,000-80,000 hospitalizations and 100-300 deaths in children under 5 annually (CDC, 2024).
For adults 65 and older, RSV causes approximately 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths each year. Those at highest risk include premature infants, young children with congenital heart or lung disease, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.