{"id":803313,"date":"2026-07-16T05:44:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T05:44:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/803313\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T05:44:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T05:44:14","slug":"home-and-aways-georgie-parker-shares-urgent-warning-after-common-winter-illness-turned-serious-floored-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/803313\/","title":{"rendered":"Home and Away’s Georgie Parker shares urgent warning after common winter illness turned serious: ‘Floored’"},"content":{"rendered":"

A Home and Away<\/a> star is urging Aussies over 65 to speak to their doctor so they’re aware of the risks of a deadly common winter illness.<\/a><\/p>\n

Georgie Parker said that while many know about Respiratory Syncytial Virus<\/a> (RSV), an infection in the lungs and airways, she wasn’t aware that its effects can be much worse when you’re older.<\/p>\n

According to Health Direct,<\/a> RSV spreads through tiny water droplets when an infected person talks, coughs or sneezes.<\/p>\n

Georgie issued a PSA<\/a> to older Aussies to help them understand the risks and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n

“I had a respiratory illness [and] apart from being surprised by how ill I was, I was floored by how much it impacted my family life and my ability to do my job,” she said.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

“I wrongly thought that, because I rarely get ill, I’m fit and healthy, that I would be less at risk.”<\/p>\n

Georgie said that as we age, natural changes in the immune system make it harder to fight infections.<\/p>\n

RSV is most commonly recorded in kids under two, and in adults over 60, particularly those over 75, according to the government’s Australian Immunisation Handbook<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While it can pop up any time of the year, it’s most prevalent in autumn and winter.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story to share? Contact au.lifestyle.ent@yahooinc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The Home and Away star said it’s never been more important to understand the illness as temperatures plunge across the country.<\/p>\n

“I really want to stay healthy, active and independent both personally and professionally, and learning more about RSV has become a part of that journey for me,” she said.<\/p>\n

“So, if you’re 65 and over, it’s really important you know your risk and become RSV-wise by speaking with your GP or local pharmacist.”<\/p>\n

The message was well-received by her Instagram followers, and many thanked her for sharing the advice.<\/p>\n

\"Emily<\/p>\n

Georgie Parker (right) said it’s never been more important to know about the risks of RSV during winter.<\/p>\n

(Getty)<\/p>\n

“Oh, Georgie, always looking out for others and bringing light into all that you do,” one wrote.<\/p>\n

“What a powerful message too spread awareness about Georgie. Thanks for sharing with us all,” added another.<\/p>\n

This year, there have been 83,678 people infected with RSV<\/a>, with New South Wales taking the lion’s share with 39,466 cases.<\/p>\n

Australia’s Centre for Disease Control<\/a> said there are around 500 people die each year from the illness, and 27,900 people require hospitalisation.<\/p>\n

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