- 80% of survey respondents – Canadian adults with certain chronic conditions – reported that respiratory viruses such as RSV impacted their health and daily life, as well as the lives of those around them.
- 39% who had experienced RSV said their health was disrupted for a month or more afterward.
- 39% said their RSV or respiratory virus infections worsened management of their existing health condition.
- Despite having a higher risk of severe complications from RSVi, 44% said they have not recently discussed it with a healthcare professional.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- New survey findings commissioned by GSK suggest that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory viruses can significantly disrupt the health and daily lives of Canadian adults living with chronic health conditions, often extending beyond initial infection and making management of their existing condition more challenging.
According to the survey, 80% of adults living with certain chronic conditions reported that respiratory viruses such as RSV have impacted their health and daily life, as well as the lives of those around them.
For many respondents, the impact lasted long beyond the initial illness. Among those who had experienced RSV, 39% reported their health was disrupted for a month or more after infection, while 7% said it took more than a year for their health to return to normal, or that it has still not fully returned to normal.
The findings also highlight how respiratory viruses can complicate management of existing chronic conditions. Nearly 2 in 5 (39%) respondents reported that their chronic health condition worsened when they experienced a respiratory virus such as RSV. The impact was particularly notable among those living with asthma (54%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (46%), who reported worsening symptoms during or following infection.
Beyond physical health, respondents also reported impacts on mental wellbeing (27%), loss of earnings due to time away from work (22%), and reduced daily independence (22%).
Although concern about respiratory viruses is high, conversations about RSV remain limited. While 80% are concerned that respiratory viruses could interfere with management of their condition or worsen symptoms, 44% reported they had not recently discussed RSV with healthcare professional.
Survey participants included 1,500 Canadians aged 18 years and over living with one or more of the following chronic health conditions: diabetes (type 1 or type 2), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hypertension.ii
"Living with a chronic condition, such as asthma often requires careful day-to-day management. When RSV or another respiratory virus strikes, the effects can extend far beyond a few days of illness," Jeffrey Beach, President & CEO, Asthma Canada. "That's why it's important for people living with chronic health conditions to feel confident speaking with their healthcare professional about RSV and learning the steps they can take to protect their health."
Adults living with chronic conditions, including diabetes, asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and heart failure are at increased risk of severe outcomes from RSV.iii More than 90% of adults over 60 who are hospitalized with RSV have at least one chronic health condition.iv,v
"These findings highlight an important gap between awareness of risk and the conversations about prevention," said Dr. Michelle Horn, Country Medical Director, GSK Canada. "Many adults living with chronic conditions recognize that respiratory viruses can affect their health and daily lives, yet discussions about RSV are not happening as often as they could. Understanding the potential impact of RSV and speaking with a healthcare professional can help Canadians make informed decisions about their respiratory health."
As GSK marks RSV Awareness Week 2026 globally, these findings underscore the importance of helping adults understand the potential impact RSV can have on chronic disease management, daily life and overall wellbeing, while encouraging more proactive conversations with healthcare professionals.
About the GSK RSV Awareness Survey
The RSV Awareness Canadian Survey is an online survey commissioned and funded by GSK.vi It involved 1,500 adults aged 18 and over, and was conducted between July 15 – August 7, 2026, by Human8, on behalf of GSK.vii The survey comprised eight questions covering RSV awareness, short and long-term disruptions and specific questions for people living with certain long-term conditions.viii
This survey aimed to better understand how Canadians living with certain chronic conditions perceive the risk and potential impact of RSV. The survey explored RSV awareness, levels of concern among those at increased risk and whether individuals are proactively discussing RSV and preventative health measures with healthcare professionals.
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at gsk.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described in the "Risk Factors" section in GSK's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2024, and GSK's Q2 Results for 2025.
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ii Human8 on behalf of GSK. RSV Awareness Week 2026 Survey | |
iii Baoqi Zeng, Xiaozhi Liu, Qingqing Yang, Junjian Wang, Qingcuo Ren, Feng Sun. Efficacy and safety of vaccines to prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection in infants and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis, | |
iv Wildenbeest JG et al., The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 2024;12:822-836. Available at https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(24)00255-8. Last accessed September 2025 | |
v Tseng HF et al., J Infect Dis, 2020;222:1298–1310. Available at https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiaa361. Last accessed September 2025 | |
vi Human8 on behalf of GSK. RSV Awareness Week 2026 Survey | |
vii Human8 on behalf of GSK. RSV Awareness Week 2026 Survey | |
viii Human8 on behalf of GSK. RSV Awareness Week 2026 Survey |
SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
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