32 | JANUARY 25 • 2024 J
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ach year, it’s estimated
that more than 160,000
U.S. adults are hospi-
talized and 10,000 of them die
due to Respiratory Syncytial
Virus, or RSV
, a common
respiratory virus. While most
people only develop mild
symptoms similar to that of
a common cold, RSV can be
dangerous for certain people
at high risk, including some
adults.
The American Lung
Association’s campaign to edu-
cate people living in the United
States about RSV in adults is
supported in part by a grant
from GSK. As part of the cam-
paign, they are sharing patient
insights, along with informa-
tion about the risk of severe
complications from RSV
, and
steps people can take to help
protect themselves.

RISK FACTORS
Adults 65 years and older are at

higher risk of RSV that can be
severe and even life-threaten-
ing. Also at high risk are adults
with chronic heart or lung
disease, and adults with weak-
ened immune systems. RSV in
some cases may worsen asthma
or COPD symptoms, lead to
pneumonia or bronchiolitis, or
even result in congestive heart
failure. Adults at high risk need
to be especially vigilant during
RSV season, which is occurring
in the United States right now.
Michele D.’s childhood
memories of medical visits
and treatments for her asth-
ma helped shape her path in
life, inspiring her to become a
registered respiratory therapist
so that she could care for and
educate others also living with
asthma or other lung diseases.
Even with Michele’s exten-
sive knowledge of respiratory
diseases and her lived experi-
ence of growing up with asth-
ma, her severe bout of RSV in

December 2022, which hospi-
talized her and led to pneumo-
nia, took her by surprise.
“I’m a respiratory therapist,
and I know RSV can be seri-
ous, but I wasn’t expecting it to
impact me the way that it did
and for as long as it did,” says
Michele.
“I don’t think most people
living with chronic lung disease
realize how an RSV infection
can impact their lives. I didn’t.”

PREVENTION
Fortunately, there are steps you
can take to lower your risk of
severe RSV:
• Keep up to date on all
recommended vaccinations.
In June 2023, the CDC
recommended RSV vaccination
for adults 60 and older who
have discussed with their
healthcare provider whether it’s
right for them.
• If you live with a chronic
lung disease, such as asthma

or COPD, work with your
healthcare team to keep the
condition under control so
your lungs can better heal from
infectious respiratory diseases.
• When possible, stay away
from individuals who are sick
with respiratory infections
to reduce your chance of
becoming ill.
• Wash your hands often and
try not to touch your face with
unwashed hands as that is a
common route for infections
to occur.
For more information and
prevention resources, and
to learn your risk for RSV
complications, visit Lung.org/
RSV
.
“I know how important it is,
living with asthma, to reduce
my likelihood of getting sick
with a respiratory infection,”
Michele shares. “If there is a
way to help prevent getting that
sick again, I’m in.”

Here’s what to know to safeguard your health.
Here’s what to know to safeguard your health.
RSV Can Impact Adults, Too

STATEPOINT

HEALTH & WELLNESS

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