Dr. Aaron Chiu recommends following COVID-19 health measures, such as hand washing and social distancing, to prevent the spread of other viruses. (archives)
Photo: Radio-Canada
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What are the symptoms of virus respiratoire syncytialVRS in children?
the virus respiratoire syncytialVRS causes a lot of problems for young children, because it causes a lot of secretion that gets lodged in the lungs. This makes it difficult for children to breathe.
Check to see if the child has faster and more difficult breathing, is eating and drinking well, and is lethargic or seems extremely tired.
If parents are concerned, they should consult a doctor. This virus is very intense. Children can quickly end up in intensive care, even on ventilators.
What should parents do to protect their children?
The sanitary measures recommended by public health to protect against COVID-19 are effective for all viruses.
We recommend that parents maintain social distancing where possible, avoid crowds and wash their hands thoroughly.
Avoid, for example, touching the face of your child without having washed your hands. the virus respiratoire syncytialVRS can remain on the hands for a long time and spread elsewhere, such as on the kitchen counter, the couch in our living room, etc.
It is also necessary to pay attention to family gatherings. If you know someone has a runny nose, don’t let them kiss your child.
At what age should special attention be paid to this virus?
Young children are most at risk. Those under the age of one and with health problems, such as lung and heart problems, are especially vulnerable.
We are also worried about children born prematurely, since their lungs are still developing.
We adults get this virus every season. We have a little runny nose, a little cough, but nothing serious. But what may seem like a simple cold can be much more serious.
Why are children more affected by virus respiratoire syncytialVRS?
Their airways are smaller. They are blocked more quickly by secretions.
Children born within the last year are more at risk of developing severe symptoms of virus respiratoire syncytialVRS, because he was not very present. Mothers were also less exposed to it.
The children have therefore not been able to acquire a natural immunity compared to what would happen if the virus respiratoire syncytialVRS had spread further.
How many children have been infected with this virus so far?
There have been more than 20 cases over the past six to eight weeks.
We observed an increase in the number of children affected before Christmas and this continued during the holiday season.
Are there more cases than last year?
This is a different situation from last year, when the COVID-19 virus was predominant.
There are several viruses that did not appear last year because so many people were infected with COVID-19.
We were also more careful to wash our hands well, to respect social distancing, to wear the mask… in short, to pay attention to the people around us.
Currently, there are more viruses appearing than last year.
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