Many older adults underestimate severity of RSV despite high risks: survey

The survey, commissioned by GSK and conducted in August among 4,656 adults across eight countries, found that while 80 percent of respondents expressed concern about contracting serious respiratory infections such as RSV, nearly half, or 45 percent, did not believe the virus could be serious for older adults or those with long-term conditions.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that typically causes cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe illness, particularly in older adults and people with underlying conditions including diabetes, COPD, asthma, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.

These groups face a significantly higher risk of complications and hospitalization.

Despite that heightened risk, 63 percent of survey participants said they had never discussed RSV with a healthcare professional.

The findings point to what experts describe as a persistent gap in public understanding.

Misconceptions remain widespread: 26 percent of respondents incorrectly believed RSV is a type of flu, and 27 percent thought it only affects the lungs and respiratory system.

GSK released the data as part of its annual RSV Awareness Week campaign, 'Make Your Move Against RSV,' held November 3–9.

The company said the results underscore the need for more public health education, particularly as RSV causes more than five million infections globally each year.

In Vietnam alone, an estimated 4.6 million RSV-related acute respiratory infections occurred among adults aged 60 and over in the past five years.

The survey also found that adults hospitalized with RSV often face long recoveries. About 14 percent of the patients require a higher level of care after discharge than before being admitted.

Cardiovascular patients appear particularly unaware of RSV's risks: nearly 60 percent of respondents with underlying heart disease did not know the virus can trigger severe complications, even though they are more than three times as likely to experience worsening heart failure or an acute cardiac event when hospitalized with RSV.

Even among individuals aged 50 and older with certain underlying health conditions – those at higher risk of severe progression and hospitalization – many continue to underestimate the seriousness of this virus, said Elena DeAngelis, country medical director for GSK Vietnam.

She urged people at increased risk to consult healthcare professionals to better understand RSV and its potential impact.

GSK describes RSV as a vaccine-preventable virus and says adults living with chronic health conditions should not overlook its potential severity.

Although most people recover quickly, the company said severe cases can greatly affect quality of life, especially for those already managing long-term diseases.

RSV Awareness Week, led and funded by GSK, aims to encourage better conversations between at-risk adults and healthcare providers.

This year's campaign emphasizes the importance of recognizing RSV's seriousness and taking proactive steps to reduce risks.