ONE in every 20 adults who contract a common but little-known virus will end up in hospital, a new study reveals.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of coughs and colds – and it is prime season for its spread.
It usually causes mild, flu-like symptoms, but can lead to bronchiolitis and pneumonia, requiring hospitalisation and intensive care in severe cases.
RSV is one of the key winter bugs behind the ‘quadruple-demic’ that threatens the NHS.
It can pose serious risks to certain individuals; RSV is the leading cause of infant mortality in babies born prematurely and is also more risky in those who are older or with compromised immune systems.
Cases typically spike during the colder months.
And last week, the UK Health Security Agency said RSV was circulating above baseline levels.
While this is mostly being driven by increases in those aged below five years, people of any age can get RSV.
Growing evidence also shows that the virus can cause serious chest infections in adults.
The new study, conducted by US scientists from a pharmaceutical giant, found that up to five per cent end up in hospital within a month of catching the bug.
“The results highlight the public health need for RSV prevention and treatment,” the US authors wrote in the paper, published in JAMA.
They studied more than 67,000 adults diagnosed RSV in an outpatient setting, which means they were not initially admitted to the hospital, over six winters.
Overall, there was a one in 20 chance of an adult ending up in hospital, according to the research.
But it was closer to one in 10 for those in high-risk groups – over 65-year-olds, as well those with chronic health conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure.
What does this mean? Well, the researchers noted previous research that has suggested 28 per cent of hospitalised RSV patients are later admitted to ICU.
In addition, the risk of death could be double that of flu.
The research team highlighted that RSV puts a substantial burden on healthcare systems.
In the UK, up to 8,000 adults die from RSV every year, and up to 14,000 are hospitalised.
Around 9,000 hospital admissions are in those aged over 75.
In addition, some 30,000 children aged under five are hospitalised – and there are 20 to 30 infant deaths.
How to protect yourself
1. Get a vaccine
As of September this year, a RSV jab has been rolled out on the NHS to help curb some of these statistics.
People aged 75-79 years old were invited to receive their RSV vaccination with their GP.
Women that are at least 28 weeks pregnant should speak to their maternity service or GP surgery to get the vaccine to protect their baby.
2. Practice good hygiene
It’s back to those practises we good so good at during the Covid pandemic; washing hands regularly for at least 20 seconds and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes, for example.
These measures are extra important at this time of year when there are lots of bugs circulating, including Covid and flu.
3. Avoid those who are sick
It goes without saying that if someone is unwell, it’s best to avoid them or at least stay a couple of metres away.
But if you are an older adult or have chronic health conditions, take extra precautions as you are at higher risk for severe RSV infection.
Those who are sick with a bug should consider if they can stay at home until they are better to prevent spread.
4. Stay healthy
Keep the immune system primed to attack bugs by living a healthy lifestyle.
Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress – yes, even stress can weaken the immune system!
Aim for seven and nine hours of quality sleep each night, too.
What are the symptoms of RSV?
PEOPLE commonly show symptoms of the virus four to six days after being infected.
Signs include:
- Runny nose
- Decrease in appetite
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Fever
- Wheezing
But symptoms can be much more subtle in very young babies, including irritability, decreased activity and breathing difficulties.
Most children will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.
It can cause a condition called bronchiolitis in babies and young children.
Symptoms of bronchiolitis in very young infants include:
- Refusal to breastfeed or bottle-feed
- Breathing more quickly and noisily (wheezing)
- Seeming very tired, upset or inactive
- Signs of dehydration – lack of tears when crying, little or no urine in their nappy for six hours, and cool, dry skin
Call 999 if:
- You have severe difficulty breathing – you’re gasping, choking or not able to get words out
- You or your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake
- You or your child’s lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey – on brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
- Your child is under five years and has a temperature below 36C
- Your child is having difficulty breathing – you may notice grunting noises, long pauses in their breathing or their tummy sucking under their ribs
Source: CDC, Asthma + Lung UK
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