Respiratory virus risks and aging physiological changes

Infectiologist Nicolas Dauby of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) is highlighting the risks associated with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). While often associated with bronchiolitis in infants, RSV can cause severe viral pneumonia in older adults, particularly those with comorbidities such as cancer or cardio-respiratory diseases.

A surveillance study conducted across nine Belgian hospitals has helped clarify the typology of patients hospitalized for acute respiratory syndromes. Experts emphasize that while influenza and COVID-19 have become standard focuses for vaccination, RSV remains an overlooked threat for high-risk adult populations.

Separately, medical insights regarding aging suggest that increased sensitivity to cold is a common physiological occurrence. Dr. Elise Dallas notes that aging leads to a slower metabolism, loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), and reduced subcutaneous fat, which diminishes the body's ability to insulate and produce heat effectively.