OBJECTIVES: As respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is commonly associated with lower respiratory infections among infants, it may also impact infants’ caregivers (CGs) through lost workdays and reduced work productivity. This multinational study describes the impact of caring for an infant with RSV on CG work outcomes.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of primary CGs (aged ≥18 years, residents of Canada, Germany, Italy, or the Netherlands) of infants aged ≤12 months who had a medically attended visit for RSV in the prior 6 months between October 2023-April 2024 was conducted; data were retrospectively collected from March-June 2024. CGs self-reported on sociodemographic characteristics, work productivity loss (absenteeism, presenteeism, overall work productivity loss), reducing/stopping work, and lost workdays during the infant’s RSV episode. Analysis was restricted to CGs who were employed and not only on paid leave during the infant’s RSV episode; descriptive analyses were performed for the overall employed CG sample and by highest level of care setting that infants received during the RSV episode (Hospital Overnight [HO], Hospital No Overnight [HNO], Emergency Room [ER], General Practitioner’s Office [GP]).

RESULTS: A total of 533 CGs were surveyed, of which, one-third (n=172) of CGs met the criteria for analysis, including 70 reporting as HO episode, 28 as HNO, 36 as ER, and 38 as GP. The average absenteeism, presenteeism, and overall work productivity loss were 54.4%, 74.4%, and 86.9%, respectively, among the employed CG sample, and were similar across care settings. Overall, 13.3 workdays were missed, 72.1% reduced work, and 45.9% stopped working completely. Workdays missed were higher among CGs of infants in HO/HNO (22.0 and 10.6, respectively) than CGs of infants in ER/GP settings (3.8 and 7.4, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Among CGs not on parental leave, caring for infants with RSV has substantial impact on work across care settings, particularly among those with hospitalized infants.