Australian icon Ita Buttrose champions new RSV awareness campaign

Ita Buttrose AC, OBE is partnering with GSK to launch a nationwide education campaign aimed at empowering older Australians to take charge of their health and better understand the risks and potential seriousness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.^3-5

RSV is a common respiratory virus,^1,2 and while it is known as a childhood disease,^1,6 it can affect Australians of all ages.⁷ Although often mild,^1,8 RSV infection can be severe in older adults.^3-5 Older adults with certain chronic conditions, like asthma and heart failure, are at heightened risk of experiencing a severe RSV infection compared with those without chronic conditions.^4,9,10 This can lead to serious complications, like being hospitalised,^3-5,9,10 developing pneumonia, and in some rare cases, it can be fatal.^1,5

From a survey commissioned by GSK Australia, which included a sample group of 600 Australians aged 60 years and over, only one in two (47 per cent) of participants were aware of RSV.¹¹ RSV has fallen under the radar in older adults and deserves more attention and awareness - which is why health advocate Ita Buttrose feels that this is an important health area to champion.

“My goal is to make sure people put their health first and to help older Australians, in particular, to be more RSV aware. RSV is not a new disease – it has been around for decades, and it can impact a person’s quality of life,” says Ita Buttrose.

“In recent years my advocacy for health issues has focused on older Australians who, like me, want to stay well and live life to the fullest. Discovering the risks associated with RSV along with understanding our body’s vulnerabilities as we age made me realise the need to increase awareness of the risks of RSV to older adults. There’s no room for complacency – it’s important that older Australians have a plan in place that makes their health future a priority,” Buttrose adds.

The number of reported RSV cases across Australia underscores the need for heightened awareness and education. Across Australia, RSV cases among 60+ at 29^th May this year have just surpassed influenza, with over 12,753 reported cases of RSV and 12,485 reported cases of influenza.*⁷

The onset of symptoms of RSV may be mistaken for a common cold.^1,6 In older adults, RSV symptoms can be similar to other viral respiratory tract infections, including flu and COVID-19.^1,6,12 In adults, symptoms include a blocked or runny nose, coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, feeling tired, fever, a sore throat, body aches and headache.^1,5,6 RSV spreads in droplets when someone who is infected coughs or sneezes, through contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces that have the virus on them^1,6 – and can easily move from person to person.¹³

“While RSV is commonly associated with children, it’s imperative we broaden this conversation to include older adults – a demographic who are also at risk. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Australian icon and health advocate, Ita Buttrose, who is helping us lead this educational campaign,” says Dr Alan Paul, Executive Country Medical Director, GSK Australia. “Our aim is to ensure that every Australian, particularly older adults including those managing health conditions, is knowledgeable and well informed about RSV.”

About RSV

Although often mild,^1,2 RSV can cause serious illness and in rare cases, even death, in older adults.^1,5 Older adults with certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and congestive heart failure have a greater risk of being hospitalised from RSV compared with those without these conditions.^4,9,10 Symptoms of RSV can be a blocked or runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, feeling tired, fever, a sore throat, body aches, and headaches.^1,5,6

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at Home | GSK AU.

Media contacts:

• Cube: Cameron Donald | cameron@cube.com.au | 0424 785 063
• GSK: Helena Sfelagis | helena.x.sfelagis@gsk.com | 0478 261 568

Footnote

*The number of cases reported may not reflect the true total, with variability in testing and reporting of RSV infections.¹⁴

References

1. Kaler J et al. Cureus 2023;15(3):e36342.
2. Ching NS et al. J Paediatr Child Health 2018;54(12):1321-1328.
3. Saravanos GL et al. Med J Aust 2019;210(10):447–53.
4. Branche AR et al. Clin Infect Dis 2022;74(6):1004–11.
5. Tseng HF et al. J Infect Dis 2020;222(8):1298–1310.
6. Kodama F et al. Infect Dis Clin North Am 2017;31:767–90.
7. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. National communicable disease surveillance dashboard [accessed 2024 May 29]. Available from: nindss.health.gov.au/pbi-dashboard/
8. Korsten K et al. Eur Respir J 2021;57(4):2002688.
9. Prasad N et al. Clin Infect Dis 2021;73(1):e158–63.
10. Kujawski SA et al. PLoS One 2022;17(3):e0264890.
11. Measuing consumer attitudes to RSV. GSK data on file REF-235404.
12. Ambrosch A et al. J Clin Virol 2023;161:105399
13. Otomaru H et al. Am J Epidemiol 2021;190:2536–43.
14. Farquharson KA et al. Public Health 2024;226:8–16.

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