Concurrent respiratory syncytial virus and influenza A infections in the institutionalized elderly and chronically...

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology
• Geriatrics

Background:

• Community outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A pose significant health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations.
• Chronic disease hospitals are susceptible to outbreaks of respiratory pathogens due to the compromised health status of residents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the clinical features and etiological agents of upper respiratory illness during a concurrent outbreak of RSV and influenza.
• To compare the clinical presentation of RSV and influenza infections in elderly and chronically ill patients.
• To assess the significance of RSV as a respiratory pathogen in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a surveillance system to monitor 71 cases of upper respiratory illness.
• Conducted viral and serologic studies to identify etiological agents.
• Compared clinical signs and symptoms between patients with confirmed RSV and influenza infections.

Main Results:

• Of 32 patients with a confirmed diagnosis, 7 had RSV, 24 had influenza, and 1 had dual infection.
• No significant differences in most respiratory or constitutional symptoms were observed between RSV and influenza groups, except for more frequent rhinorrhea in the RSV group.
• Pneumonia occurred in one patient with RSV and five patients with influenza.

Conclusions:

• RSV can cause significant upper respiratory illness in the elderly and chronically ill, with clinical presentations similar to influenza.
• RSV should be considered an important respiratory pathogen in institutionalized elderly and chronically ill populations.
• Further surveillance and diagnostic efforts are warranted to understand the full impact of RSV in at-risk groups.