{"id":582613,"date":"2023-07-13T19:33:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-13T16:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/rsv-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know\/"},"modified":"2023-07-13T19:33:54","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T16:33:54","slug":"rsv-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rsv-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"#RSV and older adults: what you should know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a33a124d78ca\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a33a124d78ca\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/rsv-and-older-adults-what-you-should-know\/#Who_is_at_risk_for_severe_complications_from_RSV\" >Who is at risk for severe complications from RSV?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<em>Supported by a leading pharmaceutical company<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Respiratory Syncytial Virus, or RSV, is a seasonal respiratory virus that can severely impact older adults. Infection control measures and the arrival of expected vaccines to prevent RSV will make it easier than ever to stay healthy this fall and winter. Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n<p>Although talk of viruses might be getting stale, Dr. Alan Kaplan, Chair of the Family Physician Airways Group of Canada, can attest to the impact of RSV after personally contracting the virus last December and taking months to recover.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor months after, I had a lingering cough, and my exercise capacity and recovery weren\u2019t what they used to be.\u201d He wants to educate older Canadians about RSV, not to cause alarm, but because, \u201cthere are viruses that people may not be aware of. As a primary care practitioner, my job is not only to treat illness, but also to help prevent it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The peak season for getting RSV in Canada is typically from October until May, with most cases occurring in the winter months.<sup>1<\/sup> RSV impacts the lungs and breathing passages<sup>2<\/sup> and is spread by inhaling or coming into contact with respiratory droplets on contaminated surfaces.<sup>3<\/sup><sup>,4<\/sup> While RSV can start out mild, it can become a serious illness and is a major cause of hospitalization and death for older adults.<sup>5<\/sup><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Kaplan notes, \u201cIt can be very nonspecific at first, with slight congestion, a bit of a sore throat, and maybe a small fever. So, people may overlook the early signs of the virus and not pay much attention to it initially.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Kaplan explains that RSV can cause damage to the airways, s<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/trip-and-travel\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"10\" title=\"Trip &amp; Travel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">trip<\/a>ping the top layers of the lining of the lungs, leaving people breathless, coughing up mucus, and vulnerable to bacterial pneumonia.<\/p>\n<p>RSV can be life-changing in terms of recovery, functionality and living independently.<sup>6,7<\/sup>\u00a0 \u201cAbout one third of people who are hospitalized with RSV never get back to how they functioned before the infection. Additionally, eight per cent are no longer able to live independently. This may not seem like a large number, but it\u2019s certainly significant\u00a0if it h<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ens to you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>RSV is often flagged as a risk for infants and young children, but anyone can get RSV and adults 60 years and older are vulnerable to serious effects from the virus. As we age, the immune system ages also, and it becomes less able to fight off illness, a phenomenon called \u201cimmunosenescence.\u201d <sup>8,9,10<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>As well, older adults are more likely to have other health conditions,<sup>11,12<\/sup> which can exacerbate the impacts of the illness.<sup>13,14<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>Finally, Dr. Kaplan notes that age can increase the likelihood of inflammation when our body responds to an infection, an event called \u201ccytokine release,\u201d and inflammation can increase the risk of a heart attack in the 30-60 days after a viral infection. \u201cSo, it\u2019s not just the infection that\u2019s a risk, it\u2019s also the immune response,\u201d Dr. Kaplan sums up.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_is_at_risk_for_severe_complications_from_RSV\"><\/span><strong>Who is at risk for severe complications from RSV?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>adults aged 60+<\/li>\n<li>those with lung diseases like COPD and asthma<\/li>\n<li>those with underlying conditions like diabetes, congestive heart failure, kidney disease<\/li>\n<li>the immunocompromised<\/li>\n<li>those in communal living, such as long-term care or retirement residences, with ongoing exposure to viruses <sup>15,16,17<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While diagnostic tests for RSV exist, they are not widely available through family physicians and testing outside a hospital setting is uncommon. Dr. Kaplan thinks accessibility may well change, \u201cBeing able to do the nasal swabs and test to differentiate between virus types is going to make a difference down the road because of treatments we do have for influenza and COVID.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The immunity that comes from RSV infection is short-lived,<sup>18<\/sup> which means that a person can be infected by the virus again, even if they\u2019ve already had it. The usual protective measures \u2013 washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, avoiding close contact with people who are ill \u2013 particularly during the fall or winter, can be helpful in preventing infection.<\/p>\n<p>Vaccines for RSV are expected to be available this fall for older adults and Dr. Kaplan is positive about the recent innovations and what they might mean for the future. \u201cIt won\u2019t be long before we are going to have the opportunity to vaccinate against this very important respiratory virus. Managing chronic illnesses, getting vaccinated, going for cancer screenings, eating well, and taking care of ourselves are all crucial steps to take for our longevity and overall health.\u201d<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"#_ftnref1\" name=\"_ftn1\"><\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>1<\/sup> Government of Canada. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): For health professionals; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=1318107&amp;s=1318099\">https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/diseases\/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv\/health-professionals.html#Surveillance<\/a> (accessed May 3, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>2<\/sup> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disease of the Week: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=1318109&amp;s=1318099\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/dotw\/rsv\/index.html#:~:text=Respiratory%20syncytial%20virus%20(RSV)%20is,similar%20to%20the%20common%20cold<\/a> (Accessed April 24, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>3<\/sup> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV Transmission; https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/rsv\/about\/transmission.html (Accessed April 24, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>4<\/sup> Meister TL, Dreismeier M, Vidal Blanco E, et al. Low risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission by fomites: a clinical observational study in highly infectious coronavirus disease 2019 patients. J Infect Dis 2022;226(9):1608-1615.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>5<\/sup><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=1318111&amp;s=1318099\">RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions | CDC<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>6<\/sup> Branche A\u00a0et al. Influenza Other\u00a0Respi\u00a0Viruses\u00a02022;16:1151\u20131160<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>7<\/sup> Curran D\u00a0et al. Influenza Other Respir Viruses\u00a02022;16:462\u2013473<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>8<\/sup> MedlinePlus. Aging changes in immunity; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=1318113&amp;s=1318099\">https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/004008.htm<\/a> (Accessed April 24, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>9<\/sup> Simon AK, Hollander GA, McMichael A. Evolution of the immune system in humans from infancy to old age. Proc Biol Sci 2015;282:20143085.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>10<\/sup> Weiskopf D, Weinberger B, Grubeck-Loebenstein B. The aging of the immune system. Transpl Int 2009;22:1041\u20131050.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>11<\/sup> Divo MJ, Martinez C, Mannino D. Aging and the epidemiology of multimorbidity. Eur Respir 2014; 44(4) 1055-1068.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>12<\/sup> Aging and chronic diseases: A profile of Canadian seniors. PHAC.\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=1318115&amp;s=1318099\">https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/public-health\/services\/publications\/diseases-conditions\/aging-chronic-diseases-profile-canadian-seniors-report.html#a3<\/a> Accessed:\u00a0May,\u00a02023.\u200b<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>13<\/sup> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV Transmission; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/rsv\/about\/transmission.html\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/rsv\/about\/transmission.html<\/a> (Accessed April 24, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>14<\/sup> Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RSV in Older Adults and Adults with Chronic Medical Conditions; <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=1318117&amp;s=1318099\">https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/rsv\/high-risk\/older-adults.html<\/a> (Accessed April 24, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>15<\/sup> Hamilton MA, Liu Y, Calzavara A, et al. Predictors of all-cause mortality among patients hospitalized with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, or SARS-CoV-2. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2022;16(6):1072-1081. doi:10.1111\/irv.13004<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>16<\/sup> Childs A, Zullo AR, Joyce NR, et al. The burden of respiratory infections among older adults in long-term care: a systematic review. BMC Geriatr. 2019;19(1):1-10. doi:10.1186\/s12877-019-1236-6<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>17<\/sup> Falsey AR, Treanor JJ, Betts RF, Walsh EE. Viral respiratory infections in the institutionalized elderly: clinical and epidemiologic findings. J am Geriatr Soc. 1992;40(2):115-119. doi:10.1111\/j.1532-5415.1992.tb01929.x<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size: 11px;\"><sup>18<\/sup> Openshaw PJM, Chiu C, Culley FJ, et al. Protective and Harmful Immunity to RSV Infection. Annu Rev Immunol 2017;35:501\u2013532.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async defer crossorigin=\"anonymous\" src=\"https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/sdk.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. 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Infection control measures and the arrival of expected vaccines to prevent RSV will make it easier than ever to stay healthy this fall and winter. Here\u2019s what you need to know. 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