RSV Awareness Week 2026 (November 2-8, 2026) aims to raise awareness of RSV and its
impact on adults and people living with certain chronic health conditions
Commissioned and funded by GSK, the survey involved 6,041 adults aged 18 and over across 10 countries. It examined awareness of and experiences with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among people living with chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease and hypertension.
More than half (52 per cent) of respondents with asthma said their symptoms worsened after contracting a respiratory virus. The figure was 45 per cent among those with COPD, 35 per cent among people with chronic kidney disease, 29 per cent among those with cardiovascular disease and 27 per cent among respondents with diabetes.
Across all respondents, more than a third (36 per cent) reported taking longer than expected to recover. A quarter (25 per cent) needed additional visits to a general practitioner or primary care provider, while 18 per cent sought urgent medical care.
Among respondents who had experienced RSV specifically, the effects often extended well beyond the initial infection. Two in five (40 per cent) said their health had been disrupted for at least a month, while nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) reported that it took more than a year to return to normal or that they had yet to recover fully.
More than half (55 per cent) described their RSV symptoms as moderately or very severe. The proportion rose to 68 per cent among respondents with chronic kidney disease or COPD, 64 per cent among those with cardiovascular disease and 63 per cent among those with asthma.
RSV may affect the health of people with chronic conditions and their ability to maintain daily
activities
"For people living with chronic conditions, managing their health is an everyday priority. Contracting RSV or another respiratory infection can have impacts beyond a few days of feeling unwell, affecting their ability to care for themselves and continue the activities that are meaningful to them. People with chronic conditions should speak with healthcare professionals about ways to help protect themselves against RSV," said Dr Elena DeAngelis, country medical director at GSK Vietnam.
RSV is increasingly recognised as a cause of respiratory illness among adults aged 60 and over. People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, asthma and COPD face an increased risk of severe RSV disease, including lower respiratory tract disease (LRTD) and related complications.
In Vietnam, modelling estimates project approximately 4.6 million RSV-associated acute respiratory infection cases among adults aged 60 and over during a five-year period. These include an estimated 200,000 hospitalisations and nearly 18,000 deaths attributable to RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.
Despite these risks, awareness does not always lead to discussions with healthcare professionals. Four in five respondents (79 per cent) said they were concerned that a respiratory virus could interfere with the management of their chronic condition or worsen their symptoms.
However, almost half (46 per cent) had not discussed RSV with a healthcare professional in the previous two years, including 33 per cent who said they had never raised the subject.
The gap was particularly pronounced among older respondents. While 66 per cent of adults aged 18-49 had discussed RSV with a healthcare professional in the previous two years, the proportion fell to 45 per cent among those aged 50 and over.
The findings highlight a gap between the potential impact of RSV and the attention given to the infection. Adults at increased risk are encouraged to consult healthcare professionals to learn more about RSV and ways to help prevent infection.
