Alice Hodges, an 82-year-old woman from Somerset, faced a terrifying ordeal after what seemed like a mild cold rapidly turned into a severe illness. In December 2024, Alice contracted respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), leading to a two-week hospital stay and lasting health complications.
Initially healthy, Alice’s symptoms appeared benign. Her daughter, Sandra Aplin, recalls: “At first, mum said she felt pretty awful with a streaming nose but thought it would pass. Then, just a few days later, she called me at 5 a.m., struggling to breathe. She was so unwell we couldn’t move her.”
Rushed to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, Alice was diagnosed with RSV—a virus unfamiliar to the family. “We had never heard of RSV before. When the nurse informed me, I had to look it up,” Sandra said.
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During her hospital stay, Alice’s condition deteriorated. Sandra emotionally shared, “We didn’t think she was going to make it. She was panicked, trying to remove the oxygen mask that was helping her breathe. Seeing mum, who’s always cared for others, so vulnerable was heartbreaking.”
Though Alice survived, RSV inflicted lasting damage on her heart, causing fatigue, reduced stamina, and necessitating a pacemaker.
RSV infections are common and generally cause mild cold-like symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, and coughing. However, the virus poses a significant threat to infants, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems. It can lead to severe chest infections like bronchiolitis and pneumonia in vulnerable groups.
In response to these risks, the NHS expanded its RSV vaccine programme as of April 1, extending eligibility to all adults aged 75 and over, with no upper age limit.
Dr. Rob Weaver, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Somerset, emphasized the importance of vaccination: “Alice’s experience demonstrates how quickly RSV can become serious, even for older adults who consider themselves healthy and active. What begins as mild cold symptoms can escalate into severe complications.”
He urged eligible individuals to accept the vaccine when offered, adding, “A small jab now can prevent a hospital stay later.”
Sandra expressed hope for others facing this threat, saying, “It’s fantastic news. I wouldn’t want anyone else to endure what mum went through.”