Living with cardiovascular disease and experienced RSV? We want to hear your story

RSV is more than a respiratory illness, particularly for people living with cardiovascular disease. If you have experienced RSV, we want to hear your story. Help us highlight the experiences of people navigating both conditions.

by Rosemary Ainley, 10 November 2026

Are you an Australian aged 50 to 75 years who has been medically diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)? Your story could help raise awareness and improve understanding of RSV’s impact on people living with cardiovascular conditions.

RSV is a contagious respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs and can affect people of all ages. Earlier this year, RSV became Australia’s most frequently reported respiratory virus this year, surpassing both influenza and COVID-19 for the first time in five years. Yet a lack of awareness is a key driver behind the soaring cases.¹

That’s where you come in. GHLF Australia is part of a global RSV awareness campaign, and we’re looking for people with a cardiovascular condition (such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure, ventricular tachycardia and others) who have experienced RSV.

If your RSV experience meaningfully disrupted your health or daily life, including your ability to manage your cardiovascular condition, work, family responsibilities, travel or independence, GHLF Australia would like to hear from you.

Why do we need an RSV awareness campaign?

RSV symptoms can initially resemble those of a common cold or other respiratory viruses. However, it differs in how it affects the lungs, who it impacts most severely and how it behaves. RSV tends to move into the lower respiratory tract. It is a leading cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways) and pneumonia. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions have a higher risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and other complications.

By sharing the experiences of people aged around 50 to 75 years who have experienced medically diagnosed RSV and specific conditions, this campaign aims to raise awareness of the potential impact of infection, encourage informed conversations with healthcare professionals and help Australians better understand their risk.

How to share your RSV story

For now, we simply want to identify and speak with potential candidates. We’ll ask you about your RSV diagnosis, symptoms and recovery. We’d particularly like to hear how RSV affected your underlying condition and daily life. You can then decide whether you’d like to be considered to share your story through our campaign.

Selected participants may have the opportunity to share their experience through filmed, written or digital disease-awareness content and will be compensated for their participation. Participants will receive relevant training and ongoing support from the campaign team.

We will only use the content for local and global RSV awareness and education activities. We will comply with all relevant compliance and privacy laws.

If you’re interested in participating in our RSV awareness campaign, contact us at [email protected] by mid-November for a confidential initial conversation.

The GHLF Australia team

Share this request with others

You are welcome to share this request with anyone you think might be eligible and be interested in learning more about this opportunity.

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Source

¹ Royal Australian College of General Practitioners – News GP: https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/rsv-tops-most-notified-respiratory-virus