RSV in Seniors: What It Is and Key Symptoms to Watch For

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

a female doctor holding a senior patient's hand and comforting them

If you’ve been paying attention to the news lately, you may be hearing that RSV is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently posted that RSV activity is elevated in many areas of the country. The good news is there are steps you can take to help reduce your risk of catching this condition and limit how serious an infection may become if you are exposed.

Here’s what to know about the illness:

What is RSV?

Respiratory syncytial virus, often referred to as RSV, is a common respiratory virus that can affect the nose, throat, lungs and respiratory tract. It’s a highly contagious illness that has seasonal peaks, typically spreading more in the fall and winter and peaking in December and January. It’s usually a mild infection but can be more serious in certain demographics, like infants and older adults. Adults who are at the highest risk include those:

With chronic heart or lung disease or other chronic conditions
With a weakened immune system
Are 75 and older
Who live in nursing homes

Most cases will resolve on their own within 1 to 2 weeks. However, older adults may face a greater risk of severe illness, complications or hospitalization.

Symptoms to be aware of

When contracted, the majority of cases of RSV involve mild, cold-like symptoms. It can also mimic symptoms of the flu or COVID, which make it a bit harder to know which illness you may be dealing with. A doctor can perform a test to confirm if you have RSV or another respiratory infection.

Symptoms of more severe RSV can include:

A high fever
Racing heartbeat
Confusion or feeling disoriented
Worsening cough or severe wheezing
A blueish tint to lips or fingertips, which can be a sign of low oxygen
Weakness or extreme exhaustion
Dizziness, decreased urination or dry mouth

If your symptoms worsen and you begin to experience any of the above, contact your doctor and seek medical care right away.

Reducing your risk

RSV spreads through contact with someone who has it, whether that’s coming into contact with their coughs or sneezes or touching contaminated objects or surfaces, like a shared water glass or a pen they recently used.

While you can’t ward off catching RSV completely, you can mitigate your risk by avoiding close contact with those infected, thoroughly washing your hands, especially before meals or touching your face, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.

Another way to mitigate risk is to ask your doctor about the RSV vaccine. It’s currently recommended for adults ages 50 to 74 who fall into the above high-risk category and adults 75 and older. You can still contract RSV with the vaccine but it is highly effective at helping to prevent severe illness and hospitalization. Unlike the flu vaccine, it’s not an annual vaccine. Your physician can advise on if and when you need another dose. It’s often advisable to get the vaccine prior to RSV season, typically in late summer or early fall.

Treatment options and signs to look out for

Most cases of RSV will go away on their own and can be managed at home, which typically involves self-measures to make yourself more comfortable while the virus runs its course. This can include over-the-counter medications to reduce fever and manage pain, like ibuprofen, drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated and getting proper rest.

In some instances, people with RSV may need more supervised care, as adults at high risk may have more severe cases that require more serious treatment. An estimated 160,000 older adults, for instance, are hospitalized with the condition every year.

If you notice your condition is not improving or signs of serious infection, contact your doctor or your local emergency room. A hospital, for instance, will treat symptoms of more severe cases with things like IV fluids, oxygen or breathing assistance.

It can be scary to hear about RSV outbreaks, but proactive measures, such as handwashing and vaccination, can help you get ahead of the condition and reduce your risk.

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