Many people brush off runny noses or sore throats as harmless seasonal colds.
But doctors at Singapore General Hospital (SGH) have found that RSV may be just as severe as influenza or even COVID-19.
5 % death rate
Analyzing data from more than 13,000 hospital cases, researchers discovered that around 5 % of patients hospitalized with RSV died within a month of admission.
The infection also led to more intensive care stays than the flu. These studies, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, suggest that RSV deserves much more public and clinical attention.
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Effects on the heart
A second study, featured in JAMA Network Open, looked at nearly 33,000 adults hospitalized with RSV, influenza, or COVID-19.
More than one in ten RSV patients suffered heart-related events such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or stroke.
Dr. Ian Wee, lead author of the studies, noted that RSV may not be as common as influenza, but its complications can be just as serious.
The findings indicate that RSV can strain the cardiovascular system in ways that doctors are only beginning to understand.
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Lingering impact after recovery
The long-term effects of RSV can also persist well beyond recovery.
In a separate study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, adults who had been hospitalized for RSV faced increased risks of heart and neurological problems up to 10 months after infection.
Children were not spared, those hospitalized for RSV were more likely to experience ongoing wheezing or bronchitis than those with flu or COVID-19.
Health experts advise frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, and wearing masks when symptomatic.
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For older adults, young children, and those with chronic conditions, discussing RSV prevention with healthcare providers is especially important.
Sources: Medicalxpress.com, The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, JAMA Network Open, and Clinical Microbiology and Infection.
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