Washington D.C. – A new study has underscored the serious health threat posed by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in adults, revealing alarming rates of hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and deaths. The research, published in the JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from the RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network across 12 U.S. states.
The study found that RSV hospitalizations in adults were substantial, ranging from 48.9 to 76.2 per 100,000 individuals. Notably, adults aged 75 and older faced the highest risk, with hospitalization rates exceeding 240 per 100,000.
The impact of RSV extended beyond hospitalization. Annual estimates suggest that between 123,000 and 193,000 adults required hospitalization due to RSV infection. Furthermore, ICU admissions ranged from 24,400 to 34,900 annually, and in-hospital deaths associated with RSV were estimated between 4,680 and 8,620.
The study highlighted the vulnerability of older adults. This demographic accounted for the majority of severe outcomes, including 45.6% of hospitalizations, 38.6% of ICU admissions, and a staggering 58.7% of in-hospital deaths.
These findings emphasize the importance of recognizing RSV as a significant public health concern, particularly among older adults.
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