Lived Experiences: Three People Share their RSV Stories from Across Australia
June 5, 2025
As RSV Awareness Week (1–7 June) marks the start of the winter season in Australia, it’s a timely reminder to get informed and be aware of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). RSV, though often thought of as an illness for infants and young children can also cause serious illness in older adults, a risk that remains significantly under-recognised.
Experts told us that more awareness on the risks of RSV in older Australians is essential – particularly amongst ‘grand-carers’ regularly caring for grandchildren and within multi-generational households. By age two, most young children will have been infected with RSV. With one in three Australian grandparents reportedly regularly caring for their grandchildren, they are vulnerable to catching RSV which can potentially lead to significant health issues including pneumonia and hospitalisation.
Platforming the stories that matter
In Melbourne, great-grandmother Debbie was hospitalised after contracting RSV. Her story, featured on Channel 7, is a reminder that RSV can be far more than a seasonal cold, it can have serious consequences.
Over in Sydney, active retirees Jan and Steve described to Channel 10 how RSV left them “the sickest they have ever been.” Their story reflects the vulnerability of older Australians and the need for stronger protection measures.
And in Perth, Kellee shared her story on Channel 9, which began with a sore throat and ended with a seven-week hospital stay. Alarmingly, older adults hospitalised with RSV may spend twice as long in hospital as children under five.
By supporting these people with lived experience to tell their personal stories, Cube are helping to bring greater visibility to the real impact RSV can have across age groups, especially in older populations.
Let’s look after each other this winter. Awareness is the first step, please visit the Immunisation Foundation of Australia website linked here to learn more about RSV.
