HEALTH experts on Friday warned the public against influenza-like illnesses, particularly the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which mostly affects the elderly.
Data from the RSV Surveillance Project shows that the virus RSV results in the hospitalization of an estimated 60,000 to 100,000 senior citizens each year.
“These alarming numbers make preventing RSV more urgent than ever, especially considering that severe illness can now be reduced through vaccination,” said Teodoro Padilla, executive director of the Pharmaceutical and Health care Association of the Philippines (PHAP).
The virus had an overall positivity rate of 20 percent from Jan. 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, rising to as high as 66.7 percent during periods of cooler weather.
RSV is a common respiratory infection that spreads through close contact with infected individuals. It causes mild, cold-like symptoms but can lead to severe lung or heart complications among infants, young children, adults ages 60 and older, and individuals with underlying health conditions.
There is no curative treatment for RSV to date, and the PHAP stressed the need for prevention through vaccination.
The group advised a single dose of the RSV vaccine for pregnant women starting from 28 weeks of gestation, ideally administered at least two weeks before delivery to maximize antibody transfer to the newborn.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends RSV vaccination for people ages 75 and older, as well as adults ages 50 to 74 who are at higher risk due to conditions such as heart or lung disease, diabetes or other underlying illnesses.
Aside from vaccination, the PHAP stressed the need for frequent handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals and seeking medical care for persistent respiratory symptoms — simple steps that can help reduce the spread of RSV.
