40% of patients with chronic diseases "are afraid but have never asked about it". Doctors urge to ask more about "RSV risks" during return visits

Patients with chronic diseases have a higher risk of complications after being infected with respiratory viruses than the general population. About 90% of patients with chronic diseases are aware of the threats posed by respiratory diseases, but about 40% of patients have not actively discussed them with their doctors in the past two years. Huang Jianxian, the attending physician of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Shin Kong Hospital, reminded that other respiratory diseases such as RSV are easily ignored by patients. It is recommended that you ask the doctor more when you return for a follow-up visit next time to proactively understand the risks and prevention practices.

Patients with chronic diseases can keep their blood sugar, blood pressure and cardiopulmonary function stable by long-term medication and regular tracking, but a respiratory infection may put all their efforts in vain. A survey shows that up to 90% of adult patients with chronic diseases in my country who reported being infected with RSV feel that their or the health or lives of people around them have been affected by respiratory viruses, and 89% of those surveyed are worried that respiratory viruses will affect disease control.

The survey also showed that 37% of respondents found that symptoms or control of existing chronic diseases worsened when infected with this type of respiratory virus, and as many as 48% of respondents who reported that they had been infected with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) believed that their health was affected by RSV infection.

However, the survey also found that although patients knew that they were worried about the threat of respiratory epidemics, they almost never took the initiative to consult medical staff. Survey data points out that as many as 41% of respondents have not actively discussed RSV-related risks and prevention with medical staff in the past two years. Only 47% of respondents over 50 years old have discussed RSV with medical staff, which is lower than 67% of those aged 18 to 49.

The Asia-Pacific region has a high volume of outpatient clinics, and patients have limited time to talk to medical staff in the clinic. Huang Jianxian said that surveys in 7 countries and regions found that among the reasons that hinder the discussion of respiratory infection vaccines, 56.7% to 64.7% of general practitioners, primary care physicians or specialists said that it was "other more urgent medical issues", and 42.1% to 58.7% said that "the consultation time is not enough to start the discussion."

Huang Jianxian reminded that RSV is not a disease exclusive to infants and young children. Elderly people may also face serious illness after infection. Physician advice is an important key for caregivers to consider whether to vaccinate against respiratory infections. If the medical side can provide more reminders when tracking chronic cases, the public will have a better chance of turning their concerns about respiratory infections into specific preventive actions.

For patients with chronic diseases and their families, Huang Jianxian also reminded that patients with chronic diseases who are infected with respiratory viruses such as RSV may cause infection complications such as pneumonia, and may also cause the disease that was originally well controlled to acutely worsen. Do not wait until you are sick to "recognize the risks." Taking the initiative to ask about RSV during your next visit may be the first step to move protection from awareness to action.