Did you know? RSV is more than just a common cold. For older adults—especially those with underlying conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or chronic lung disease—RSV can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia or heart failure. There is currently no specific treatment, but it can be prevented with the RSV vaccine.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a virus that causes infections in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. It spreads through inhalation of respiratory droplets from coughing. The symptoms are similar to the common cold—such as coughing, fever, and runny nose.
In some cases, especially in older adults, the infection can affect the lower respiratory tract and lead to severe symptoms such as high fever, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, or low blood oxygen levels.

High-risk groups for RSV infection
Older adults, particularly those with underlying health conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, liver disease, or chronic kidney disease.