Knowledge about the virus

Most people over 60 do not know the term RSV

Older people have little knowledge about the common cold virus RSV. Around one in five people over the age of 60 know the term, according to a survey commissioned by the pharmaceutical company GSK. Only four percent consider themselves to be well informed.

Three quarters of adults aged 60 and over do not feel at all informed about the respiratory syncytial virus. As a result, many respondents find it difficult to assess the danger and risk of infection. RSV is a virus that affects the respiratory tract and was first described in chimpanzees in 1956. HSV viruses are usually transmitted via smear and droplet infections; it takes around two to eight days from infection to symptoms.

The Spectra survey was conducted among 754 people aged 60 and over. Despite the low level of knowledge, 43 percent of older adults stated that they had every recommended vaccination. This includes RSV, which is explicitly recommended in the Austrian vaccination schedule for people aged 60 and over. However, the vaccines, which have been available since last year, have to be paid for by the patient and cost more than 200 euros.

More knowledge about Covid-19 and flu
In comparison: According to the study, people in Austria are more familiar with Covid-19 and influenza. For Covid-19, 65% of adults said they had a good level of knowledge, compared to 61% for influenza.

According to experts, the risk is considered too low. "We are dealing with a virus that is much more common than we thought in the past and that can also have serious consequences," says Viennese pulmonologist Arschang Valipour in a press release. People with respiratory diseases such as asthma and COPD, diabetes and chronic cardiovascular diseases, among others, are at a higher risk of severe cases.

Peak in spring
In mild cases, sufferers may have cold and flu-like symptoms. Severe cases lead to symptoms such as breathing difficulties and shortness of breath, bronchitis and pneumonia. According to MedUni Vienna, the peak of RSV is currently shifting towards spring.

In 2019, three million people over the age of 60 fell ill across Europe, 274,000 hospitalizations were reported and around 20,000 deaths occurred. In 2023/24, the peak was recorded at the end of January/beginning of February.