“Victor Babeș” Hospital in Timișoara, a warning sign of a highly contagious viral disease –

“Victor Babeș” Infectious Diseases Hospital in Timișoara is sounding the alarm about an infectious viral disease. It is the respiratory syncytial virus, which affects respiratory health, especially among infants, the elderly and people with comorbidities.

“It is one of the viruses that affects the lower respiratory system, representing the main cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia among children under two years of age, but also affecting vulnerable adults, the elderly or those with comorbidities. Symptoms usually start with a common cold (fever, stuffy nose, mild cough), but in severe cases it can lead to breathing problems, low blood oxygen and respiratory failure, requiring emergency admission“, he called the medical unit.

According to Timișoara doctors, we are currently in the middle of the RSV disease season, with the greatest incidence in autumn and winter.

“RSV can worsen chronic conditions, and infection can lead to myocardial infarction, stroke, worsening asthma and COPD, and long-term decline in respiratory function. RSV is responsible for more than 33 million lower respiratory tract infections, of which approximately 3.2 million cases require hospitalization, and also causes more than 100,000 deaths each year, mostly among children young In Romania, the number of hospitalizations due to seasonal respiratory diseases increased every year, with RSV being one of the main causes of respiratory disease“, explained the medical unit.

RSV infection is underdiagnosed in adults. Pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and epidemiology of RSV infections contribute to the underdiagnosis of the disease. Strict hand hygiene, avoiding contact with sick people and avoiding crowded places are essential measures to reduce the risk of infection.