RSV Awareness Week prompts warnings to look out for the virus, especially in children
AMA President Professor Steve Robson has warned parents of young children that RSV respiratory infections could be particularly bad this year and shared a distressing personal family story.
This week is Australia’s first RSV Awareness Week, putting the spotlight on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), an unpredictable and potentially dangerous virus that puts thousands of infants in hospital each year and can cause serious long-term health issues.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson said he was very pleased to support RSV Awareness Week because it was an issue that was extremely close to his heart.
“So, it's a fortunate coincidence that this year's event asks for Australians from all walks of life to share their RSV stories as my own family's story could have been less of a happy one had we not been so lucky,” he said.
“Let me go on. Our son almost succumbed to an RSV infection as a toddler. He was incredibly ill and had a couple of weeks in hospital.
“It was the worst experience for my family that I still think we haven't gotten over. Even now I get emotional just thinking about it.
“Every day I feel so incredibly lucky to watch him grow into the young man he is.
“Let's all talk more about RSV. With almost 25,000 confirmed cases of RSV already this year in children under 5 years of age — that’s 25,000 very worried families — it’s something we should all be talking about.”
Professor Robson warned that RSV, which seasonally spikes during the winter months, could be particularly bad this year.
“We very commonly see a wave of RSV in winter and this year we think it might be particularly bad because of all the protections from COVID immunity in the community and children is down,” he said on Triple M, Adelaide.
