Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Tho, for older adults, RSV can lead to severe illness, including pneumonia and hospitalization. Prior to the development of vaccines, RSV was estimated to cause approximately 60,000-160,000 hospitalizations and 6,000-10,000 deaths annually among adults 65 years of age or older in the United States.
The virus spreads through close contact with infected individuals, much like the common cold or flu. Symptoms can include a runny nose, cough, fever, and shortness of breath. Because these symptoms overlap with other respiratory illnesses, RSV is often misdiagnosed.