Can Adults Get RSV? Symptoms, Diagnosis, Vaccines

Yes, adults can get RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). In fact, most adults have had an RSV infection at least once in their lives. This seasonal virus is so widespread that almost all of us have had an RSV infection by the time we turn 2 years old.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629139334c3-5b40-4b1e-9960-03639f580ee0 Most of the time, an RSV infection is merely uncomfortable, but in some cases it can be life-threatening. Among adults, the infection is riskiest for older adults with weakened immune systems or chronic (long-term) conditions such as heart or lung disease.
Symptoms Symptoms of RSV in Adults For most healthy adults who get RSV, the virus causes symptoms that resemble those of a cold or the flu : Runny nose Nasal congestion Sore throat Coughing Fatigue Fever Having a barking or wheezing cough, however, may be a reason to worry about RSV . It may signal that the infection is becoming worse and has spread to your lower respiratory tract, causing bronchiolitis (an inflammation of the small airways in your lung) or pneumonia (an infection of your lungs).
Transmission How Do Adults Get RSV? Like other respiratory infections, RSV is highly contagious and spreads via sneezing, coughing, and even kissing. The airborne virus can enter your body through your eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can also spread to people who touch contaminated surfaces or objects and then touch their faces.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c5b2e7f9-421d-48b7-8c3f-6302425e1525 RSV is usually contagious for three to eight days, but some infants and people with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for as long as four weeks.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629ec768ee5-416d-4bed-9083-a13bff82373d Peak season for RSV infection in the United States includes fall, winter, and spring. But some doctors have been seeing infections in warmer months as well.
High-Risk Groups Who Is Most at Risk From RSV as an Adult? Groups of people at high risk of severe disease from RSV include adults who:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976292290ced4-5072-413b-ace6-8c69c5b36133 Are ages 75 and over Live with chronic heart or lung disease Have weakened immune systems Have certain other underlying medical conditions Live in nursing homes Each year, an estimated 160,000 older adults in the U.S. are hospitalized due to RSV, with up to 10,000 dying of complications from the illness.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976293b348add-423c-40b2-a2c5-1380ace716d0 “This is due to older adults having a lower respiratory reserve and less lung capacity,” says Inessa Gendlina, MD, PhD , an infectious diseases physician at Montefiore Health System and an assistant professor of medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Health conditions that increase the risk of severe RSV include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629f60951e0-9d2d-46ce-8d92-a0817922c3a3 Chronic cardiovascular disease (heart failure, coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease [excluding isolated hypertension]) Chronic lung or respiratory disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis) End-stage renal disease Diabetes with complications or requiring treatment with insulin or a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor Neurologic or neuromuscular conditions causing impaired airway clearance or respiratory muscle weakness Chronic liver disease (cirrhosis) Chronic hematologic conditions (sickle cell disease, thalassemia) Severe obesity Other chronic health conditions identified by a healthcare provider Living in a nursing home can raise the risk of severe RSV as well. Severe disease from RSV infection can also worsen existing symptoms of heart disease , asthma , or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) . The virus, Dr. Gendlina says, is now known to have a high mortality rate for people with these conditions.
Testing Testing for RSV If you’re sick with a respiratory infection and you don’t know which kind, it’s best to get tested , says Adi S. Shah, MBBS , an infectious disease expert at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The symptoms of RSV can overlap with those of COVID-19 and the flu, but there are several lab tests available to help with diagnosis. Your doctor can carry out an antigen or PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to identify or rule out RSV as the cause of your symptoms. If you can’t get to your doctor or another healthcare facility, you can get an FDA-authorized 3-in-1 home test by Labcorp to find out whether you have the flu, COVID-19, or an RSV infection. You swab your nose to collect a sample, then FedEx it to a lab for PCR testing. You can purchase a kit without a prescription online or in stores. The test results will come back in around one to two days through an online portal. You can then follow up with a healthcare provider.
Treatment How to Treat RSV in Adults There is no treatment for a mild or moderate RSV infection . In most cases, doctors simply recommend drinking plenty of fluids, taking over-the-counter pain or fever medication, and resting. Symptoms should go away on their own in a week or two. Ribavirin, an FDA-approved antiviral drug that treats severe lung infections caused by RSV, is available. But it’s known to have multiple and potentially serious side effects. Gendlina says that people who have severely weakened immune systems — a blood stem-cell transplant recipient, for example — may take oral or inhaled ribavirin to fight off the infection. They might need to take either form of the drug along with immunoglobulin (antibodies from healthy people) that’s given through a vein.
Prevention How to Prevent an RSV Infection An infection from RSV isn’t completely avoidable, but there are a couple of ways to reduce your risk. Vaccination The FDA has approved three RSV vaccines: Arexvy , from GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) Abrysvo , from Pfizer mRESVIA, from Moderna The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends RSV vaccination for the following adults:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a3ce5513-fc5e-4383-b669-177bdd6363ac All adults 75 and older Those ages 50 to 74 at increased risk of severe RSV disease Pregnant people Vaccination is highly effective at preventing severe illness caused by RSV. Note that it is safe to get an RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629a3ce5513-fc5e-4383-b669-177bdd6363ac Practice Healthy Habits If you’re virus-free and want to stay that way, or you’re sick and want to avoid infecting others, the CDC also suggests doing the following:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629e861c617-47f6-4c6c-9acf-5213a17c4713 Wash your hands often. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth to prevent the spread of viruses from your hands. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when sneezing and coughing, or sneeze and cough into your elbow. Avoid close contact (within six feet) with others who have coughs, colds, or are sick with a known RSV infection. Stay home if you’re sick. Don’t share cups, bottles, or other objects. RSV can live on such surfaces for hours (and be spread to your hands). If you’re prone to sickness or have a weakened immune system, stay away from large crowds of people. Clean frequently used surfaces such as doorknobs and countertops with a virus-killing disinfectant.
The Takeaway Adults can get RSV, and for many older adults, infection from this virus can be risky. While mild infections tend to get better on their own, doctors may treat more-serious infections with antiviral medication. You can prevent the spread of RSV with simple steps, such as handwashing and staying home when you’re sick. There are now several vaccination options for adults ages 60 and above (and below for those who have weakened immune systems; check specific vaccine details).