March 12, 2026

Respiratory Viral Infections

Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Hospitalized With Respiratory Viral Infections
These results come from a multicenter retrospective cohort study of hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancy or HCT at 2 comprehensive cancer centers between January 2019 and June 2023. They included all patients with acute viral respiratory infection (identified based on a constellation of test results and objective physiology), comparing clinical presentations, care processes, and patient outcomes across pathogens; the primary outcome was the composite of hospital death or discharge to hospice. Across two comprehensive cancer centers, they found that hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies and respiratory viral infections presented with similar clinical physiology—measurable parameters from vital signs, respiratory support, and laboratory data—regardless of pathogen. They found that among hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies or HCTs, acute viral respiratory infections display similar initial physiology and outcomes regardless of pathogen.

RSV

Effectiveness of RSV Vaccines against RSV-Associated Thromboembolic Events.
Authors evaluated effectiveness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines against RSV-associated thromboembolic events among community-dwelling Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries >65 years of age in the United States enrolled during October 1, 2023–March 30, 2024. RSV vaccines protected against RSV-associated thromboembolic events (effectiveness 79% [95% CI 74%–83%]) in the same season as vaccine receipt.

Characteristics of Young Children Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Failure From Infection With RSV, SARS-CoV-2, or Both, November 2023–March 2024
Investigators used data from a U.S. pediatric respiratory virus hospitalization surveillance network, including children with ICU admission for acute respiratory failure (receiving high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation) with RSV and/or SARS-CoV-2 during November 2023–March 2024. Demographic, clinical characteristics, and hospitalization outcomes were stratified by a positive test for RSV, SARS-CoV-2, or both viruses. Overall, 1,406 children were included: 1,253 (89.1%) for RSV, 105 (7.5%) for COVID-19, and 48 (3.4%) with RSV+SARS-CoV-2 detected. Children with RSV or RSV+SARS-CoV-2 had lower median ages (3.9 vs. 5.4 months, respectively) compared to those with SARS-CoV-2 (8.8 months; p<0.001). Twenty percent of children with RSV and 43.8% with COVID-19 had an underlying medical condition. Among infants aged <1 year for whom preterm status was available, 31.5% with RSV and 50% with COVID-19 had either prematurity or a comorbidity. Children with SARS-CoV-2 were more likely to require invasive mechanical ventilation, receive vasoactive infusions, and die compared to RSV with and without SARS-CoV-2.