Health released prevention measures and vaccination data for bronchiolitis

Bronchiolitis is a very common acute infection in childhood that affects girls and boys under the age of two. It occurs mainly from autumn to spring, and usually in the winter months.

Commenting on this topic Ana Bertone; The general director of epidemiology, told the Department’s News Agency that bronchiolitis is a viral disease “that affects the upper and lower respiratory areas. It starts as a common cold, progressing with a cough and sometimes varying degrees of difficulty breathing. Babies show difficulty feeding and sleeping; fever may be present but is not the main symptom in these conditions. Most receive outpatient treatment which includes keeping the child hydrated, with temperature comfort, use of antipyretics if there is a fever, keeping the t -high respiratory tract (nose) free from compensations, in some cases aerosols are used (paff with aerochambers) or interventions in special rooms for oxygen therapy, such as the one provided by the “Favaloro” and centers other health in the Department.

Periodic control, daily follow-up, with the family doctor is always essential. “It doesn’t need antibiotic treatment because it’s a viral infection, it’s only needed in special cases. The evolution of the disease is about 7 to 10 days. As I always say, there are sick people and there are no diseases, that is, each child is different and will develop according to the situation,” said the official.

Later he recognized that “there are some children who show periods of bronchial hyperreactivity for a period longer than the recovery of the actual symptoms of the disease.”

Regarding the treatment of infections, he reiterated the need “not to self-medicate, there is a global concern about antimicrobial resistance, that is, against bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, and it is that is why antibiotics must be used wisely, when it really is. considered necessary, not only because of possible doubts It is very important that people do not do it.

In the same sense, Bertone recalled the signs of bronchiolitis and the preventive measures to pay particular attention to in this period of extreme cold “in the presence of low temperatures, more respiratory viruses are always circulating, so it is always important to reinforce preventive measures. “The respiratory syncytial virus is the main cause of lower respiratory infections in childhood and especially in babies under two years of age.

In contrast, and in most cases, he said, “the disease can be treated with simple care indicated by the primary care professional, following the warning guidelines, which are related to; see if respiratory symptoms increase (coughing increases, breathing faster, wheezing in the chest, rivers sinking when breathing), weakness or irritability, children sleep more normally, not eat well or refuse food, the fever is too high, they are babies under 6 months old, among others. Symptom consultation should always be done immediately.”

As part of the National Immunization Calendar, starting this year, a dose of vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus began to be applied to pregnant women between 32 and 36 weeks of gestation, with the aim of protecting against respiratory diseases, such as bronchiolitis, for babies. in the first six months of life.

In this regard, the general director of Epidemiology concluded by pointing out that this vaccination strategy for pregnant people “attempts to provide protection, through the transplacental transfer of antibodies, against bronchiolitis in the first six months of life, which is the most vulnerable time.” for suffering severe symptoms from infection with this virus, vaccination is one of the most important public health strategies, as it corresponds to an analysis of the frequency of diseases and the burden they carry population generation addressing a major public health problem Without a doubt, vaccines prevent disease and save lives.