For Filipino seniors, flu-like symptoms such as persistent coughing and wheezing can be more dangerous than they appear. These symptoms might be signs of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a virus that poses a significant risk to older adults with weakened immune systems and chronic conditions.
In the Philippines, where around 9.2 million seniors aged 60 and above live,1 RSV can be a potentially serious health concern. Alarmingly, more than half of these seniors — about 5.5 million — suffer from at least one comorbidity,2 making them especially vulnerable to severe infections and complications.
What is Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)?
RSV can be a potentially highly contagious, seasonal virus that frequently causes respiratory tract infections in adults. While it’s commonly associated with children, RSV can also affect older adults, particularly those living in close-knit, extended Filipino family households. A single RSV-infected child can rapidly transmit the virus to up to three other household members, including seniors in the family.3 This means that what starts as a mild infection in a child may quickly escalate into a severe respiratory illness in an older adult4 with a weakened immune system or chronic health conditions.
Symptoms of RSV often include nasal congestion, cough, wheezing, and low-grade fever.5 In more severe cases, it can lead to difficulty in breathing or oxygen deprivation. However, because these early signs can mimic other respiratory illnesses,6 many people may not realize they have RSV until it progresses to more serious illnesses like pneumonia or bronchiolitis.7
RSV heightens health risks for seniors
While RSV might cause only mild cold-like symptoms8 in younger, healthier adults, it can be far more severe for seniors and those with underlying health conditions. For older adults, RSV can lead to serious complications, including hospitalization and, in some cases, death.9
Research has shown that most people hospitalized for RSV were found to also have preexisting health conditions such as chronic respiratory diseases, heart conditions, or diabetes.10 These comorbidities amplify the dangers of RSV, increasing the likelihood of severe outcomes. In fact, the risk of hospitalization is up to two times higher for asthma patients, up to six times higher for those with heart disease and diabetes, and up to thirteen times higher for individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).11
The implications are alarming: 50% of adults with RSV may develop severe respiratory complications, including respiratory distress, arrest, or failure.12-13 Furthermore, 3 out of 10 adults may experience heart-related complications due to the virus.12-13 For seniors with COPD and asthma, the situation is even more critical, as RSV can exacerbate these conditions, leading to acute episodes that often require hospitalization14.
Additionally, RSV has also been found in about 10% of cases of COPD exacerbations (worsening symptoms of COPD)15, further underscoring the virus’s impact on those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. These statistics highlight the urgent need for heightened awareness, early detection, and preventive measures to protect our most vulnerable populations.
Filipino Seniors can be protected against RSV
Seniors, especially those with existing health issues, need to take extra precautions against RSV. Unlike younger individuals with robust immune systems, older adults are more susceptible to severe RSV complications.
To reduce the risk of RSV, it’s essential to adopt proactive measures. These include practicing good hygiene, regularly disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, social distancing, and wearing masks to prevent the spread of the virus.16 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that adults aged 60 and older, especially those at increased risk of severe RSV disease,17 consider vaccination.
Although there is no specific antiviral treatment for RSV, preventive strategies are crucial in reducing infection risks. Consulting a doctor about RSV prevention can help seniors manage the danger of this vaccine preventable disease.
1Philippine Statistics Authority. Age and Sex Distribution in the Philippine Population (2020 Census of Population and Housing). Retrieved from: https://psa.gov.ph/system/files/phcd/2022-12/1_Press%2520Release%2520on_Age%2520Sex_RML_18July22_rev_mpe_RRDH_CRD-signed.pdf
2University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) and Demographic Research and Development Foundation, Inc. (DRDF). (2020, March). COVID-19 and the Older Filipino Population: How Many Are at Risk? (UPPI/DRDF Research Brief No. 1). Retrieved from https://www.uppi.upd.edu.ph/research/covid-19/rb1
3Otomaru H et al. Am J Epidemiol 2021;190:2536–2543;
4Nam HH and Ison MG. BMJ 2019;366:l5021. Respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l5021
5F Stephens LM;Vaccines;2021;9;624
6Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2023. RSV transmission. www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/transmission.html
7American Lung Association. 2024. RSV in Adults. Retrieved from: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/rsv/rsv-in-adults
8Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/respiratory-syncytial-virus/symptoms-causes/syc-20353098
9ED, emergency department; National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), 2023. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) https://www.nfid.org/infectious-disease/rsv/
(accessed October 2023)15
10Moskowitz B. (2024). Severe RSV Infection Risk in Adults May Be Heightened by Comorbidities. Retrieved from: https://www.medpagetoday.com/resource-centers/rsv-adults/severe-rsv-infection-risk-adults-may-heightened-comorbidities/4978
11Branche AR, et al. Clin Infect Dis 2022;74:1004-1011
12Maggi S et al. Vaccines 2022; 10(12);2092;
13Falsey AR et al. Open Forum Infect Dis 2021;8(11):ofab491
14Branche AR, et al. Clin Infect Dis 2022;74:1004-1011
15Zwaans WA et al. J Clin Virol 2014;61:181–188
16Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Preventing spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/precautions-when-sick.html
17Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccines for Adults Ages 60 and Over. Retrieved from: https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/about/prevention.html
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