May 9, 2024

RSV – A Serious Health Threat That the Public Knows Little About

Spreading out the infection: Just over 4 in 10 individuals (42%) understand its more precise to say it is possible to spread out and have RSV before showing symptoms than to say it is not possible (3%). However over half of those surveyed (54%) are uncertain.

Symptoms: Less than 1 in 5 individuals (18%) know its more precise to say that RSV normally produces moderate, cold-like signs than major problems in breathing (38%). And 44% say they are uncertain.

Jaundiced skin: 5% improperly say this is a sign of RSV.
Spontaneous bruising: 2% improperly say this is a symptom of RSV.
Bleeding gums: 2% improperly state this is a symptom of RSV.

Vaccine for pregnant individuals: Just 1 in 5 individuals (20%) understood when the study was fielded that there was not an FDA-approved vaccine against RSV for those who are pregnant to benefit their newborns, while 7% thought there was one. Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed (73%) were uncertain. “However,” Jamieson noted, “since an FDA advisory panel had recommended approval at that point, we would expect a high level of uncertainty about whether an FDA-approved vaccine existed.”.

The study of more than 1,600 grownups finds that less than half of Americans (49%) were most likely to recommend the vaccine against RSV, if approved by the FDA, to a pregnant friend or family member. By contrast, a lot of Americans (63%) would recommend a vaccine against RSV to a friend or household member aged 65 or older. Just 22% in the current study say they understand kids who have actually had RSV– and among these respondents, over half say they have actually understood just one child or 2 children who have had it. Vaccine for older adults: Just 13% knew at the time the survey was fielded about the presence of an FDA-approved vaccine against RSV for older grownups, while 18% stated there was not an FDA-approved vaccine. Vaccine for pregnant individuals: Just 1 in 5 people (20%) understood when the study was fielded that there was not an FDA-approved vaccine against RSV for those who are pregnant to benefit their newborns, while 7% believed there was one.

Wheezing: 46% understand this is a symptom.
Runny nose: 38% understand this is a sign.
Pauses in breathing: 33% understand this is a symptom.
Decreased activity: 32% understand this is a symptom.
Decreased appetite: 29% know this is a symptom.

Less than half acknowledge the symptoms of RSV.
Fewer than half of those surveyed recognized some of the most typical signs of RSV (participants were asked to choose all that applied):.

Reoccurrence: Less than 4 in 10 individuals (38%) know its more accurate to say that when an individual contracts RSV, they can get it once again. Just 2% improperly believe its more accurate to state that you cant get RSV once again, however 60% say they are not exactly sure.

Vaccine for older grownups: Just 13% understood at the time the survey was fielded about the presence of an FDA-approved vaccine versus RSV for older grownups, while 18% said there was not an FDA-approved vaccine. (The FDA authorized one RSV vaccine for grownups 60 and older on May 3, 2023, and the second one on May 31, the beginning of the survey period.

Perseverance: Less than 1 in 5 individuals (17%) know its more precise to state that RSV is able to endure for many hours on difficult surface areas such as table or baby crib rails than to state RSV cant survive for lots of hours on these difficult surface areas (9%). The majority of people (75%) state they are uncertain.

Vaccine for children and infants: About 1 in 5 people (19%) know there is currently not an FDA-approved vaccine versus RSV for infants and kids in the United States, while 11% state incorrectly that there is one and 70% are uncertain.

Extremely couple of people improperly chosen non-respiratory symptoms as associated with RSV:.

A brand-new survey reveals an extensive absence of awareness about Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) among the American public, with under half going to suggest an FDA-approved vaccine for it to pregnant individuals, despite a greater determination to recommend it for the senior. These findings coincide with the advancement of a vaccine for pregnant individuals, while the CDC deliberates on an RSV vaccine for older grownups; crucial provided RSV is a leading cause of lower respiratory system infections in babies and can cause severe health problem in both infants and the senior populations.
A recent research study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center reveals a general lack of knowledge amongst Americans about RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus). The study suggests that lots of are unaware of the infections typical symptoms and exhibit higher unwillingness to suggest vaccination versus RSV for pregnant people than to older adults.
This discovery develops at a critical time when a vaccine for RSV targeted at pregnant women is under factor to consider, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is choosing the approval of an RSV vaccine for grownups aged 60 and above.
Worldwide, RSV is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants. Though its symptoms are usually moderate, the highly infectious RSV can trigger serious illness, hospitalization, and even death among babies and the elderly.

The percentage of individuals who would suggest an FDA-approved RSV vaccine to pregnant individuals and adults 65 and older. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Centers ASAPH study June 2023
By the age of 2, nearly all children get ill from RSV, which was among 3 health problems– with the flu and Covid-19– contributing to last winters “tripledemic” that overwhelmed some health care facilities. Because of it, the CDC estimates that 58,000 to 80,000 kids under age 5 are hospitalized each year.
After decades of research, researchers have established vaccines against RSV. In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized two RSV vaccines for older adults, and this summer season is most likely to approve a maternal RSV vaccine for pregnant individuals to pass antibodies on to fetuses to prevent RSV in babies from birth as much as at least 6 months of age.
The study of more than 1,600 adults discovers that less than half of Americans (49%) were likely to suggest the vaccine versus RSV, if approved by the FDA, to a pregnant pal or family member. By contrast, many Americans (63%) would recommend a vaccine against RSV to a good friend or family member aged 65 or older. (When the study was fielded, the FDA had currently authorized the vaccine for grownups 60 and older, although the shots were not yet readily available.).
The percentage of people who know, or dont understand, certain facts about RSV and vaccines versus it. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Centers ASAPH survey June 2023.
” Those who recall the tension that the tripledemic placed on the countrys hospitals last fall will understand why older individuals and those who are pregnant should discuss the advisability of RSV vaccination with their health care service providers,” said Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center ( APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania and director of the study.
APPCs Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge survey.
The survey information come from the 11th wave of a nationally representative panel of 1,601 U.S. adults, initially empaneled in April 2021, performed for the Annenberg Public Policy Center by SSRS, an independent marketing research company. This wave of the Annenberg Science and Public Health Knowledge (ASAPH) study was fielded May 31-June 6, 2023, and has a margin of tasting mistake (MOE) of ± 3.3 portion points at the 95% self-confidence level.
Download the topline and the method.
Data from earlier waves on Covid-19, societys “return to regular,” vaccination, monkeypox, the seasonal influenza, health false information, and related topics can be discovered here.
Ignoring the occurrence of RSV– but awareness of prospective seriousness.
A quarter of the public (27%) reveals fret about contracting or having a relative agreement RSV, less than the one-third (33%) who were fretted in our January survey, which was conducted during the tripledemic. The decline in concern is not surprising provided that RSV circulates throughout the fall and winter season, and there was media coverage of the surge of cases last winter that, integrated with influenza and Covid-19 cases, filled some hospitals.
Familiarity with RSV is less common than one might anticipate offered the occurrence of the health problem. Only 22% in the existing survey state they know children who have had RSV– and amongst these respondents, over half state they have known just one child or two kids who have actually had it. Asked how numerous kids agreement RSV before the age of 2, 2% of respondents say, “practically all.” According to the CDC, “Almost all kids will have had an RSV infection by their second birthday.”.
Percentage of survey participants who determined specific signs of RSV. Credit: Annenberg Public Policy Centers ASAPH study June 2023.
Amongst the individuals who say they understand children who have actually had RSV, its possible seriousness is clear. Amongst these participants, over half (54%) say the health problem was somewhat or extremely major. “Most kids with cold-like signs are not tested for RSV, however when a kid ends up being significantly ill, its more most likely that kid will go through diagnostic screening,” Jamieson stated. While RSV can trigger extreme illnesses such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, the CDC states it typically causes moderate, cold-like symptoms — like runny nose, coughing, sneezing, fever, wheezing, and decreased cravings– and is often mistaken for cold or flu.
This does not indicate, nevertheless, that some do not experience major disease. Amongst 100 infants under the age of 6 months who get RSV, 1 to 2 might require hospitalization, the CDC says. Although RSV-associated deaths are “uncommon” in the United States, they nonetheless do take place at an estimated rate of 100 to 500 each year for kids under 5, according to the CDC. Worldwide deaths of kids under 5 years old attributable to RSV surpass 100,000 annually.
Far less individuals state they know older adults who have actually had RSV. Only 6% of those surveyed say they understand somebody age 65 or older who has had RSV. Among this group of participants, the majority of (71%) state they know a couple of people who have actually had it and most (72%) state the infection was somewhat or really major. The CDC reports that amongst grownups 65 and older, there are 60,000 to 160,000 hospitalizations each year from RSV, and 6,000 to 10,000 deaths.
To find out more, see these Q&A s on the RSV maternal vaccine and RSV vaccines for older grownups from FactCheck.org, a job of APPC.
Terrific uncertainty about RSV.
Just small sectors of the American public properly answer concerns about RSV. Many people state they are not exactly sure. The study discovered that:.