Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant health burden in older adults, with high incidence and hospitalization rates that are often underestimated. Recent studies show that in industrialized countries, RSV incidence is approximately 600.7 cases per 100,000 person-years, and hospitalization rates are around 157 per 100,000 person-years. However, accurate measurement of RSV morbidity and mortality in older adults remains challenging, leading to underestimation of the disease burden. In developing countries, in-hospital fatality rates can be as high as 9.1%. Two RSV vaccines for the elderly have been approved, showing efficacies up to 94.1%, marking significant progress in prevention. However, concerns about potential side effects remain. RSV is a common respiratory pathogen that affects all children by age three. It is transmitted through droplets and direct contact, and causes severe disease in the very young and older adults. RSV infection can result in upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms, with common symptoms in older adults including sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, shortness of breath, and sputum. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may also occur. Symptoms are usually mild and self-resolving, but a small proportion of cases may lead to severe acute lower respiratory tract infections, resulting in hospitalizations and death. The epidemiology of RSV shows seasonal variation, with outbreaks typically lasting 4.6–4.8 months. In temperate regions, RSV epidemics occur in winter, often preceding influenza outbreaks. In tropical regions, RSV epidemics start around July and peak in January in high-latitude areas. RSV burden varies by region and year, with factors such as inadequate testing and suboptimal sensitivity of diagnostic tools contributing to variability. Older adults with chronic conditions are at higher risk of hospitalization and death from RSV. Community-based studies indicate that RSV-related acute respiratory infections (ARI) incidence rates in older adults range from 0.7 to 151.1 per 1000 per year, with higher rates in those aged 75 and above. Hospitalization rates for RSV in older adults vary significantly, with estimates ranging from 10 to 320 per 100,000 per year for those aged 65 and above. In industrialized countries, the in-hospital case fatality rate for RSV in older adults ranges from 1.6% to 7.1%, translating to approximately 33,000 deaths. In developing countries, the in-hospital case fatality rate is 9.1%, leading to around 10,000 deaths. RSV burden is comparable to that of influenza in older adults. Studies show that RSVRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses a significant health burden in older adults, with high incidence and hospitalization rates that are often underestimated. Recent studies show that in industrialized countries, RSV incidence is approximately 600.7 cases per 100,000 person-years, and hospitalization rates are around 157 per 100,000 person-years. However, accurate measurement of RSV morbidity and mortality in older adults remains challenging, leading to underestimation of the disease burden. In developing countries, in-hospital fatality rates can be as high as 9.1%. Two RSV vaccines for the elderly have been approved, showing efficacies up to 94.1%, marking significant progress in prevention. However, concerns about potential side effects remain. RSV is a common respiratory pathogen that affects all children by age three. It is transmitted through droplets and direct contact, and causes severe disease in the very young and older adults. RSV infection can result in upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms, with common symptoms in older adults including sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, shortness of breath, and sputum. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may also occur. Symptoms are usually mild and self-resolving, but a small proportion of cases may lead to severe acute lower respiratory tract infections, resulting in hospitalizations and death. The epidemiology of RSV shows seasonal variation, with outbreaks typically lasting 4.6–4.8 months. In temperate regions, RSV epidemics occur in winter, often preceding influenza outbreaks. In tropical regions, RSV epidemics start around July and peak in January in high-latitude areas. RSV burden varies by region and year, with factors such as inadequate testing and suboptimal sensitivity of diagnostic tools contributing to variability. Older adults with chronic conditions are at higher risk of hospitalization and death from RSV. Community-based studies indicate that RSV-related acute respiratory infections (ARI) incidence rates in older adults range from 0.7 to 151.1 per 1000 per year, with higher rates in those aged 75 and above. Hospitalization rates for RSV in older adults vary significantly, with estimates ranging from 10 to 320 per 100,000 per year for those aged 65 and above. In industrialized countries, the in-hospital case fatality rate for RSV in older adults ranges from 1.6% to 7.1%, translating to approximately 33,000 deaths. In developing countries, the in-hospital case fatality rate is 9.1%, leading to around 10,000 deaths. RSV burden is comparable to that of influenza in older adults. Studies show that RSV