Spotlight on RSV – A Hidden Epidemic in Older Adults | Satellite Symposium at APSR 2023

What's New

• The 27th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respiratology took place at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.
• The registration for this symposium was handled by the organizers of the 27th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respiratology.
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About this Symposium

RSV is a common and well-studied virus, known for causing respiratory tract infections in young children. However, the prevalence of RSV is globally underestimated and underappreciated in older adults. RSV-associated acute respiratory infections in older adults account for 336,000 annual hospitalizations and 14,000 deaths per year. Yet these numbers still do not reflect the true burden of RSV, since it usually falls under the umbrella-term “Influenza-like illness” and therefore, specific testing is not always performed.

This burden is particularly high for adults living with high-risk medical conditions, such as heart disease, COPD, asthma, and other conditions that affect overall health. As individuals age, these conditions become more common, and can decrease the body’s normal response to a virus such as RSV. Then, RSV has a more potent effect and increases the risk of complications after infection.

The transmission of viruses such as RSV through long-term care facilities or hospitals is a particular concern due to their fragile patient populations. This means that there is an acute need for effective precautions and preventative measures to combat it’s spread. Similar strategies are currently in place for other respiratory viruses (influenza, COVID-19) and there are several preventative products in development to help decrease RSV-related hospitalizations and deaths.

This symposium aims to raise awareness, promote understanding, and stimulate discussion around the new developments related to RSV. This educational platform reviewed the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and current treatment plans for RSV while also updating clinicians, public health experts, policymakers, and community representatives about the latest results in RSV vaccine trials and the basic principles of the mRNA vaccine platform. Sharing the most current information on RSV with the world’s health care providers means that we are one step closer to preventing RSV-associated morbidity and mortality.

General Information

Practical Information