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Usually confused for a standard chilly, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can the truth is be severe and ought to be studied extra carefully. In research led by Singapore Normal Hospital (SGH), researchers collaborating beneath the Program for Analysis in Epidemic Preparedness And REsponse (PREPARE) discovered that the sickness may very well be of comparable severity to different extra well-known respiratory viral infections (RVIs)—corresponding to influenza and COVID-19.
In three large-cohort research, the researchers regarded on the severity of RSV, threat of cardiac problems, and long-term problems in sufferers who had RSV infections extreme sufficient to require hospitalization, versus influenza and COVID-19 hospitalizations. All through all three research, it was discovered that RSV was of comparable severity to influenza and COVID-19.
Dr. Ian Wee, Advisor, Division of Infectious Illnesses, SGH and Deputy Lead, Databases Core, PREPARE, and first writer for all three papers, mentioned, “With about five to ten percent of those experiencing flu-like symptoms having respiratory syncytial virus, it may not be as common compared to influenza or COVID-19, and more research about the illness is needed. However, this does not make the infection any less serious than other RVIs, especially in Singapore’s tropical climate where year-round transmission of RSV occurs.”
Illness severity
Revealed in The Lancet Regional Well being – Western Pacific, the primary research examined near 13,000 grownup hospitalizations for RSV, COVID-19 and influenza, and in contrast threat of 28-day mortality and intensive-care-unit admission, that are indicators of severity. Amongst sufferers hospitalized for RSV, about one in 20 died inside 28 days of hospital admission.
Total, hospitalizations as a result of RSV have been extra extreme than influenza, with increased dying charges and extra intensive care admissions. RSV was of comparable severity to COVID-19 hospitalization in people beforehand boosted in opposition to COVID-19; the research pre-dated the provision of RSV vaccination in Singapore.
Danger of cardiac problems
The second research, printed in JAMA Community Open, in contrast the chance of acute cardiac problems—outlined as any cardiac, cerebrovascular or thrombotic occasion, corresponding to irregular or irregular heartbeat, coronary heart failure, stroke, deep venous thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism.
Assessing nearly 33,000 grownup hospitalizations for RSV, COVID-19 and influenza, barely a couple of in ten RSV hospitalizations had an acute cardiovascular occasion. These odds have been considerably increased than sufferers hospitalized for COVID-19, in addition to for sufferers with vaccine-breakthrough influenza hospitalizations.
Lengthy-term problems
The third research checked out long-term problems following RSV an infection in adults and kids. Revealed in Scientific Microbiology and An infection, it studied about 83,000 adults hospitalized as a result of RVI.
In adults hospitalized for RSV, an elevated threat of long-term cardiovascular and neurological problems was noticed as much as 300 days post-hospitalization. This research additionally assessed pediatric RVI hospitalizations amongst 24,340 sufferers aged 0 to 17 and located that there was the next threat of post-acute respiratory problems corresponding to wheeze/bronchitis following RSV hospitalization, versus COVID-19/influenza.
Understanding RVIs and RSV
RVIs are infections attributable to viruses that have an effect on the respiratory system, from the nostril and throat to the airways and lungs. Past RSV, influenza, and COVID-19, different viruses may also trigger respiratory infections. Frequent signs of RVIs embrace cough, sore throat and nasal congestion; whereas delicate and self-resolving in most situations, development to extra extreme sickness (e.g. pneumonia or respiratory failure) can happen, significantly amongst at-risk teams.
RSV is a respiratory virus that causes attribute flu-like signs, together with runny nostril and sore throat. Like different respiratory viruses, it spreads via shut contact, publicity to respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, or contaminated objects and surfaces.
Most people expertise solely delicate signs; nevertheless, younger youngsters, older adults, those that are immunocompromised or have present respiratory or cardiac situations are at increased threat of extreme RSV.
Dr. Wee added, “One frequent level throughout the three research was that younger youngsters and aged sufferers face the best threat of short-term and long-term problems following respiratory viral infections, particularly these with pre-existing medical situations.
“RSV can have a significant impact on one’s health, and at-risk individuals should remain vigilant and discuss RSV protection with their health care providers. The public should also protect against all RVIs by maintaining good personal hygiene, such as practicing hand hygiene, staying home if feeling unwell, and wearing a mask if needing to leave home when symptomatic.”
Extra info:
Liang En Wee et al, Severity of respiratory syncytial virus versus SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and influenza an infection amongst hospitalized Singaporean adults: a nationwide cohort research, The Lancet Regional Well being – Western Pacific (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101494
Liang En Wee et al, Cardiac Occasions in Adults Hospitalized for Respiratory Syncytial Virus vs COVID-19 or Influenza, JAMA Community Open (2025). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.11764
Liang En Wee et al, Lengthy-term sequelae post-hospitalization for respiratory syncytial virus vs. Omicron SARS-CoV-2 or influenza in adults and kids: a retrospective cohort research, Scientific Microbiology and An infection (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2025.04.022
Quotation:
Not only a frequent chilly: Research present RSV’s severity and impression on long-term well being (2025, November 6)
retrieved 7 November 2025
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