Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Homeless Populations, Washington, USA

Abstract

Homelessness has not previously been identified as a risk factor for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. We conducted an observational study at an urban safety-net hospital in Washington, USA, during 2012–2017. Hospitalized adults with RSV were more likely to be homeless, and several clinical outcome measures were worse with RSV than with influenza.

Keywords

• respiratory syncytial virus
• RSV
• viruses
• infection
• respiratory infection
• influenza virus