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Adults with RSV-associated acute respiratory infection face a 2.7-fold higher risk for death within one year, according to a recently published study.

Adults with respiratory syncytial virus-associated acute respiratory infection (RSV-ARI) face a 2.7-fold increased risk for death within a year compared to the general population, according to a Danish study presented at ESCMID Global 2025.

“One of the most striking findings from this study was the prolonged and significant impact of RSV-ARI,” stated lead author Maria João Fonseca, PhD, associate director of global real-world evidence and health outcomes, vaccines, at GSK. “Even after the acute phase, patients continued to experience worse outcomes compared to the general population. This underscores just how serious and enduring the effects of RSV-ARI can be.”

Elevated Rates of Adverse Health Outcomes

The nationwide retrospective cohort study evaluated various health outcomes for 365 days following RSV-ARI onset among 5289 adults in Denmark diagnosed with RSV-ARI between 2011 and 2022, compared with 15,867 matched controls from the general population. The study population included a significant number of patients with chronic respiratory conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allowing for the assessment of subgroup risk.

According to the research team, in addition to the 2.7-times higher risk of death within 1 year of diagnosis, patients with RSV-ARI demonstrated significantly elevated rates of adverse health outcomes over the 12-month follow-up.

“Exacerbations of COPD and asthma were the most common adverse clinical outcomes,” Dr. Fonseca reported. “These pre-existing conditions are already challenging in themselves, and RSV-ARI exacerbates their severity. Because of this, it’s crucial that we pay closer attention to patients with these underlying conditions to prevent further, potentially life-threatening complications.”

Indeed, according to the research team, asthma exacerbations occurred 4.6 times more frequently and COPD exacerbations 3.1 times more frequently over the 365-day follow-up in the RSV-ARI cohort than in matched controls. Hospitalizations occurred in 57% of patients with RSV-ARI, more than double the rate seen in the control group (28%). Intensive care unit admissions were also markedly higher (5.3% vs 1.4%).

Economic Consequences & Call for Vaccination

Beyond clinical outcomes, the study also found that RSV-ARI imposed a substantial economic burden. Average direct health care costs per patient over the year following RSV-ARI diagnosis were €20,181—more than double the €8085 average for control participants.

“Vaccination has proven highly effective in preventing severe outcomes from RSV,” added study coauthor Stanislava Bratković, MD, medical advisor at GSK. “Given the significant burden of RSV-ARI highlighted by our study, prioritizing vaccination for vulnerable populations is essential to reduce both health complications and associated costs.”