- Infants in their first respiratory virus season are at the highest risk for severe RSV infections due to small airways and lack of prior exposure.
- Pre-existing conditions such as congenital heart disease, cystic fibrosis, or chronic lung disease further increase vulnerability in young children.
- Older adults, particularly grandparents and great-grandparents, are also at elevated risk because of weakened immune systems.
- The very young and the very old represent the most at-risk populations when it comes to severe RSV outcomes.
What Ages are Most Vulnerable to RSV
What ages are most at risk for severe RSV infection? The babies who are most at risk are our smallest babies.
Susanne Tanski, MD, MPH, Pediatrics
