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With flu season in full swing, another easily overlooked virus merits equal caution: respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Its symptoms closely resemble the flu, but it has no targeted antivirals, and rapid tests often show false negatives in adults. A doctor warned that elderly people and those with chronic diseases are at especially high risk.

Coughing, runny nose, and fever are familiar flu symptoms. They’re also common symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, making it easy to miss during flu season. But its threat shouldn’t be understated, as it can trigger pneumonia or exacerbate heart failure.

Not long ago, I saw a patient in their 60s or 70s who previously had a stent implanted for a heart attack. After contracting RSV, their body’s delicate balance was disrupted, and their condition deteriorated rapidly. By the time they went to the ER, their blood oxygen levels had dropped and they were in respiratory failure, requiring immediate intubation in the ICU.

Dr. Lee said RSV can trigger pneumonia and respiratory distress in elderly and chronically ill patients, while severe infection can elevate the risk of cardiac events such as atherosclerosis or heart attack, with impacts extending far beyond the respiratory system.

Lee Chun-wei
Tamsui MacKay Memorial cardiologist
People with pre-existing conditions are more susceptible to RSV infection, and catching RSV can trigger other underlying conditions, creating a vicious cycle. Since there are no specific antivirals to treat RSV, it wasn’t routinely tested for.

RSV screening often turns back false negatives in adults, leading many to overlook its risks. Susceptible groups such as the elderly, those with chronic cardiovascular or pulmonary diseases, and people with diabetes should exercise extra caution. Doctors advise that the simplest methods remain the most effective: Wash your hands, wear a face mask, avoid contact with sick people, and get vaccinated. Extra care should be taken when spending extended periods indoors or in crowded places. Since there’s no cure for RSV, prevention remains far better than treatment.

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