Influenza and respiratory syncytial virus in the elderly

Abstract

Respiratory infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide: influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the predominant pathogens responsible. Annual vaccination and the use of antiviral drugs provides both protection and treatment against influenza, particularly protecting those patients most at risk, including the elderly and individuals with chronic comorbidities. Currently, there are extremely limited options in the protection against RSV infection, making those at-risk patients vulnerable to serious disease, complications and death. This review focuses on recent trends in respiratory illness in the elderly, particularly focusing on the burden of influenza and RSV on hospitalizations and mortality. We discuss the potential benefit of influenza vaccination on these outcomes, including the recent controversial debate over the effectiveness of influenza vaccination.

Keywords::

• acute bronchitis
• elderly
• hospital admissions
• influenza
• influenza-like illness
• influenza vaccine
• mortality
• respiratory syncytial virus

Financial & competing interests disclosure

D Fleming has provided consultancy services and received financial support from the pharmaceutical industry in matters relating to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus prevention and treatment. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.