08:02 pm
Saturday 17 December 2022
Cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) increase with colder temperatures, which can look like a common cold in adults, but can be life-threatening for some young children.
RSV cases are higher than usual for this time of year, as are other viruses like the flu.
This virus is most dangerous for children, as it is the leading cause of death for thousands of children under five worldwide.
However, infants and young children who have no way of telling adults they feel sick may not initially have cold-like symptoms.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there are “three single signs” that can appear in a child infected with respiratory syncytial virus, which are:
irritability
lack of activity
respiratory difficulties
Breastfeeding. The baby’s first line of defense
Other symptoms common to children of all ages include:
Rhinorrhea
lack of appetite
Cough
sneeze
temperature
wheezing (when breathing)
Symptoms usually worsen between the third and fifth day, with the cough improving within 3 weeks.
As for the reason for the increase in cases of this virus and also flu, it is because during the lockdowns related to the Corona virus, the children stayed in the houses and the respiratory syncytial virus was prevented from spreading as usual.
And in a report released by the Academy of Medical Sciences, virus experts have warned that ‘the UK is heading for a deadly triple mix of corona, flu and respiratory syncytial virus this winter’.
Epidemiologist Dr Conall Watson said: ‘Cases of respiratory syncytial virus continue, which is normal at this time of year, especially in young children,’ according to British newspaper ‘The Sun’.
“For children younger than two, RSV can be serious, especially for newborns and those born prematurely,” she added.
