With healthy ageing becoming a topic of interest for many as our population in Canada continues to grow older, data from a new survey has highlighted significant gaps in knowledge among older Canadians about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which is a common contagious respiratory virus. The virus can lead to severe outcomes, including pneumonia and hospitalization, and can have lasting impact on adults’ daily function and independence. The online survey, commissioned by GSK, assessed the awareness and attitudes of a representative sample of 1,000 Canadians aged 50 and above towards RSV and other respiratory illnesses, as well as the impact of these conditions on their life.
Public health impact of RSV infections
RSV is a leading cause of respiratory illness in adults. According to the most recent data available, RSV is estimated to have caused more than 5 million infections, 470,000 hospitalizations and 33,000 deaths among those aged 60 and above in high-income countries including Canada and the United States in 2019.
Despite this high incidence, 46% of older Canadians surveyed had never heard of RSV.Even among those at increased risk of becoming seriously ill from an RSV infection due to an underlying medical condition, awareness remained low with less than 1 in 5 (18%) claiming to have at least moderate knowledge of RSV.
Impacts of Respiratory Viruses
The survey also provided insight about the impact of respiratory viruses like RSV on the daily activities of older Canadians. Among the 65% of respondents that reported suffering from a respiratory infection in the last 12 months (COVID-19, flu, RSV, or other):
- 39% reported that it took them more than two weeks to recover. For those aged 60 and older, recovery took three or more weeks for most (72%)
- Nearly two thirds (65%) reported it disrupted their daily activities
- Three out of five (60%) reported it affected their sleep
- 43% said it had affected their social events
- Almost one third (29%) said it affected their ability to attend work
In addition to impact on daily activities, respondents reported worry about different life events that respiratory infections, including RSV, could cause them to miss. The most common concerns were:
- family occasions (52%)
- holidays (52%)
- milestones such as birthdays (42%)
Beyond just missing out on important life events, studies have shown that about one-third of older adults hospitalized with RSV experience acute functional decline and may never regain their pre-infection functioning. In addition, eight per cent saw an ongoing loss of independence six months after hospitalization.
RSV is a common contagious virus affecting the lungs and breathing passages. For adults 60 and older, data demonstrate an increased risk for severe RSV infection that can lead to hospitalization. Older adults are at high risk for severe disease due in part to age-related decline in immunity, and older adults with underlying conditions are at even greater risk for severe disease. RSV can exacerbate conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and congestive heart failure and can lead to severe outcomes, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death.
