Many people think respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is just another cold.
But new research shows it can be just as serious as better-known infections like the flu and COVID-19. Researchers from Singapore General Hospital and the PREPARE program have found that RSV deserves much more attention.
In a series of large studies, scientists looked at how dangerous RSV can be. They compared its severity, heart-related risks, and long-term effects to those of influenza and COVID-19 in patients sick enough to need hospital care. In all three studies, they found RSV was just as serious as the other two.
One of the studies, published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific, looked at nearly 13,000 hospital cases involving RSV, COVID-19, and the flu. They checked how many patients died within 28 days and how many had to be treated in intensive care.
They found that one out of every 20 people hospitalized with RSV died within a month. RSV cases were more serious than flu cases and just as serious as COVID-19 in people who had already been vaccinated against it.
Another study focused on the risk of heart problems from these infections. This research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed almost 33,000 hospital records.
It found that more than one in ten people hospitalized for RSV suffered a serious heart issue, such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, stroke, or blood clots. These risks were higher than for patients hospitalized with either COVID-19 or the flu—even among people who were vaccinated.
The third study, published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, looked at long-term effects. It tracked about 83,000 adults and 24,000 children who had been hospitalized with RSV, COVID-19, or the flu.
In adults, those who had RSV were more likely to suffer heart or brain-related complications for up to 300 days after they were discharged from the hospital. In children, RSV was more likely than the other infections to lead to later breathing issues like wheezing or bronchitis.
RSV is a virus that attacks the lungs and airways, causing symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, and cough. In most people, the illness goes away on its own.
But in older adults, young children, and people with weak immune systems or existing health problems, RSV can cause severe illness. It spreads through close contact, coughing, sneezing, and touching shared surfaces.
Respiratory viral infections, or RVIs, include RSV, flu, and COVID-19. They usually start with cold-like symptoms, but in some people, they lead to pneumonia or serious breathing problems.
Dr. Ian Wee, the lead researcher on all three RSV studies, says that in Singapore’s warm climate, RSV spreads all year round and is just as dangerous as other RVIs—even if it isn’t as common.
The takeaway is clear: RSV is not a mild illness for everyone. It can lead to serious, long-term health issues—especially for babies, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.
Dr. Wee urges people to stay informed, especially if they or their loved ones are at higher risk. Talk to your doctor about ways to protect against RSV, and remember the basics: wash your hands, stay home when you’re sick, and wear a mask if you must go out while unwell.
These findings make one thing clear: we need to take RSV just as seriously as we take the flu and COVID-19. With better awareness and prevention, we can protect those most at risk.
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The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health – Western Pacific.
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