Across the country, the number of reports of children in hospital due to the RS virus is increasing. Just like a year ago, more babies will end up in hospital this summer after being infected with the RS virus. This could be due to too few antibodies as a result of corona measures. Isala in Zwolle is also experiencing an increase. There are currently three children with the virus. “In the winter, this number is actually quite normal. But in recent weeks, there have been a few children with the virus in the children’s ward every time,” a spokesperson for Isala said.
It is remarkable that this number is increasing right now. It RS (respiratory syncytial) virus is a cold virus that mainly appears in winter, between November and March. It is the most common cold in children. According to the RIVM, almost all children get an infection by this virus before they turn one year old.
It is not yet a question of large numbers, but there are currently more patients with the RS virus than usual for this time of year in the Wilhelmina Hospital Assen (WZA) and the Martini Hospital in Groningen. Last summer there was also a peak of the little ones who had to be treated in hospital with respiratory problems after being infected with the virus.
Small part to hospital
The RS virus is the most common common cold virus in children. Almost all children get it in their first year of life. But a very small percentage end up in hospital after being infected. This can happen if they become short of breath or get pneumonia.
Virologist Bert Niesters of the UMCG attributes the unusual revival of the RS virus for this time of year to the corona pandemic. Since the measures were lifted in March, the virus has been going around a lot, according to data from the RIVM. “Due to the lockdowns and the measures taken in recent years, more viruses have lost their way,” says Niesters. He also points to the serious childhood hepatitis that the WHO warned about last spring. Four children had to be admitted to the UMCG, three of whom had to undergo a liver transplant.
No antibodies
According to Niesters, the likely explanation that more babies than usual end up in hospital with the RS virus is that the mothers did not come into contact with the RS virus during pregnancy and thus could not pass on antibodies to their babies. Babies born to mothers who became infected during pregnancy are well protected against the virus for a large part of their first year of life.
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