By Hannah Docter-Loeb

Researchers estimate that 123,000 to 193,000 US adults were hospitalized annually with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from 2016-2017 through 2022-2023, according to a new analysis of cases.

The study, published in JAMA Network Open, looked at data from the RSV Nursing Surveillance Network. The research was based on data from 58 counties in 12 US states, covering about 8 percent of the US population. The analysis reached these conclusions for hospitalization totals based on data showing 16,575 hospitalizations in the specific surveillance network.

The researchers extracted data for 7 seasons, with RSV-related hospitalization and a positive test result within 14 days before or during hospitalization. The study also assessed hospitalization rates each year, in-hospital deaths and how different age groups fared.

Excluding the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 periods, when the coronavirus pandemic affected RSV transmission, hospitalization rates ranged from 48.9 per 100,000 adults in 2016 to 2017, to 76.2 percent per 100,000 adults in 2017 up to 2018, and were reduced again in the 2022-2023 season. Adults aged 75 and older were more likely to have an RSV-related hospitalization. Estimated annual in-hospital deaths ranged from almost 4,700 in 2018-2019 to just over 8,620 in 2017-2018.

Researchers say vaccines have the potential to reduce hospitalizations.

“The findings of this study indicate that before the introduction of RSV vaccines in 2023, RSV was associated with a significant burden of hospitalizations, intensive care unit admissions, and in-hospital deaths in adults, particularly those aged 75 years and older.”as noted. “Increasing RSV vaccination in older adults has the potential to reduce associated hospitalizations and serious clinical outcomes”.

This article is part of The Post’s “Big Number” series on the statistical side of health issues. Additional information and related research are available through the hyperlinks.