Understanding shingles and RSV
Review the following information about shingles and RSV prior to speaking with patients who are at increased risk.
RSV
Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is a common respiratory virus usually associated with mild symptoms consistent with an upper respiratory infection, resolving in 1-2 weeks in most adults.1 RSV can be severe, especially in very young infants and older adults, including those with weakened immune systems or chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease such as COPD and asthma.1
Facts about RSV
Older adults, including those with weakened immune systems or chronic heart disease, or chronic lung disease such as COPD and asthma are at risk for severe RSV disease.1
Symptoms in adults are typically mild but can become severe and can be consistent with lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia.1,2
Some RSV infections can even lead to hospitalizations or death.2
In most regions of the United States and other areas with similar climates, RSV season generally starts during fall and peaks in the winter.1
Shingles
Shingles, herpes zoster, is caused by the reactivation of the varicella zoster virus (VZV).3 Shingles causes a painful blistering rash that typically lasts up to 2 to 4 weeks.3 Shingles can lead to serious complications including postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO).4 PHN is long-term pain in the area where the rash was and occurs in 10%-18% of cases. HZO can occur in 10%-25% of shingles cases and could lead to ocular complications and, in rare cases, vision loss.4,5
Facts about shingles
An estimated 1 million cases of shingles occur annually in the United States.3
Shingles can be painful and can lead to serious or long-lasting complications.4
About 99.5% of people aged 50 years and older are infected with the VZV.3
In 1 in 3 people, dormant VZV reactivates in their lifetime and causes shingles.3
Starting at 50 years old, the risk of developing shingles sharply increases.3
Identifying patients at increased risk for shingles or severe RSV
Adults aged 50 years and older are at an increased risk of shingles.3 In addition to age, certain chronic conditions have been associated with an increased risk of shingles.6 Older adults and adults 50 years and older with certain chronic medical conditions are at an increased risk for severe RSV.1 See below to learn about the associated risks of shingles or RSV for these patients, along with the applicable CDC vaccine recommendations.
Could the care you provide be disrupted by shingles or RSV?
Diabetes
Diabetes has been associated with an increased risk of shingles.6 Complicated diabetes can increase the risk of severe RSV.1
In 2025, it is estimated that 22.7 million individuals aged ≥50 years have diabetes.7*
CKD
Chronic kidney disease has been associated with an increased risk of shingles.6 Chronic kidney disease can be associated with hospitalizations with severe RSV.8
In 2025, is it estimated that 5.6 million individuals aged ≥50 years have renal disease.7*†
CVD
Certain chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, have been associated with an increased risk of shingles and severe RSV.2,6
In 2025, tens of millions of adults aged 50 years and older are estimated to have cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension. Over half (51.2%) of the adults ≥50 years in the United States are estimated to have hypertension.7*
COPD
COPD has been associated with an increased risk for shingles and severe RSV.2,6
In 2025, it is estimated that 12.6 million individuals aged ≥50 years have COPD.7*
Asthma
Asthma has been associated with an increased risk for shingles and severe RSV.2,6
In 2025, it is estimated that 8.7% of individuals aged ≥50 years have asthma. This equates to 10.8 million individuals with asthma.7*
Review the CDC’s shingles and RSV vaccine recommendations
Estimated number of adults aged ≥50 years with select comorbidities are based on prevalence estimates obtained from a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of pooled 2011-2020 data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) on self-reports of diagnoses by an HCP. The study included 26,280 adults aged ≥20 years, with population weights provided by NHANES used to subsequently extrapolate findings to the entire 2020 US non-institutionalized adult population. Prevalence estimates of comorbidities were then extrapolated to 2025 population estimates obtained from the US Census Bureau.
Renal disease described as weak or failing kidneys not including kidney stones, bladder infections, or incontinence in NHANES questionnaire.
CDC=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CKD=chronic kidney disease; COPD=chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CVD=cardiovascular disease; HCP=healthcare professional; RSV=respiratory syncytial virus.
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References
- Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). Clinical overview of RSV. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/clinical-overview/
- Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSV). RSV in adults. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 9, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/adults/
- Clinical overview of shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 27, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-overview/
- Clinical features of shingles (herpes zoster). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. May 10, 2024. Accessed July 16, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/hcp/clinical-signs/
- Harpaz R, Ortega-Sanchez IR, Seward JF; Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prevention of herpes zoster: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). MMWR. 2008;57(RR-5):1-30.
- Marra F, Parhar K, Huang B, Vadlamudi N. Risk factors for herpes zoster infection: a meta-analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2020;7(1):1-8.
- Data on file, GSK.
- Havers FP, Whitaker M, Melgar M, et al. Characteristics and outcomes among adults aged ≥60 years hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus—RSV-NET, 12 states, July 2022–June 2023. MMWR. 2023;72(40):1075-1082.
