Dr. Tong Thi Ngoc Cam, Deputy Medical Director for the Northern Region at VNVC Vaccination System, issued this warning, noting that current stormy weather conditions in various localities foster the development of respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Recently, a heart hospital in TP HCM admitted a 70-year-old patient who developed pneumonia, respiratory failure, and multi-organ failure following a fever caused by RSV infection.

Elderly individuals with multiple underlying conditions who contract infectious diseases like RSV face an increased risk of severe complications. Photo: Quynh Tran

RSV is a leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in young children and the elderly. For elderly individuals with multiple underlying conditions and those on immunosuppressants, RSV infection carries a high risk of severe progression. This heightened risk is due to weakened immune systems and a reduced ability to clear the virus.

Patients commonly experience symptoms such as cough, fever, sneezing, sore throat, and fatigue. However, in elderly individuals and those with underlying conditions, the virus can cause airway obstruction and progress to pneumonia or respiratory failure. Furthermore, pneumonia patients are susceptible to bacterial superinfections with pathogens like pneumococcus or Staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to severe progression, respiratory failure, and sepsis.

The US CDC estimates that RSV leads to approximately 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths annually among adults over 65. This virus also exacerbates conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and can trigger acute exacerbations of illnesses like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, RSV symptoms resemble those of a common cold, leading many to self-medicate, which results in delayed treatment.

The RSV virus spreads easily through respiratory secretions from activities such as coughing, sneezing, and talking. It can also survive on surfaces like tables, chairs, and doorknobs for many hours. Individuals become infected when they touch contaminated surfaces and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.

Elderly individuals receiving RSV and flu vaccines for disease prevention at VNVC Binh Minh Center, Cai Von ward, Vinh Long. Photo: Moc Thao

According to the General Statistics Office in 2024, Vietnam has over 14.2 million people aged over 60, with more than 70% of them suffering from at least one chronic disease such as hypertension or diabetes. Dr. Cam advises elderly individuals to manage underlying conditions, avoid sharing personal items, and implement protective measures such as maintaining good nutrition, ensuring adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and wearing masks when outdoors.

Currently, Vietnam has an available RSV vaccine, administered as a single dose for individuals aged 60 and above, and for pregnant women between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation to transfer protective antibodies to their infants for the first six months of life. For elderly individuals, the vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of RSV-related lower respiratory tract infection by up to 88,9% in the first year, providing sustained protection.

In addition to preventing RSV, elderly individuals also need to guard against diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal disease, chickenpox, and measles. These can lead to complications like pneumonia, bronchitis, respiratory failure, and exacerbate chronic conditions. Vietnam has a full range of vaccines available for these diseases for both children and adults.

Linh An