Parents urged to know RSV symptoms as surge reported
Medical experts are urging parents and caregivers in the Midlands to familiarise themselves with the symptoms of RSV to protect their children amidst a surge in the virus.
There are several respiratory illnesses which may affect babies, but most infections only cause mild symptoms. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can cause infection in the lower part of the respiratory system and is a major cause of severe respiratory illness among children under 2 years of age. It is also the most common cause of hospital admissions due to acute respiratory illness in young children, as well as being the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lung) in infants.
A recent survey conducted by biopharmaceutical company, Sanofi, revealed that almost four out of five (79%) Irish parents had heard of RSV but surprisingly their overall understanding of the resulting disease was low. When asked how their knowledge of the disease compared with other common childhood illnesses only one in five (22%) of parents surveyed had a good level of knowledge of RSV in comparison to infections such as the common cold (74%), influenza (52%) and pneumonia (38%).
In Ireland, the RSV season is defined by the HSE as starting in October and ending in April. Precautionary steps can also be taken to help protect infants. These include:
● Frequent, careful hand washing is the most important measure in preventing the spread of RSV
● Coughing into your sleeve
● Keeping symptomatic siblings and other people away.
The HSE recommends that parents or caregivers contact a GP if they are worried about their baby’s symptoms, or notice that they:
● Are not feeding normally (they have taken less than half of their usual amount over the previous 24 hours)
● Have not had a wet nappy for 12 hours or more
● Are breathing very fast
● Have a persistent high temperature of 38°C or above despite giving paracetamol and/or ibuprofen ● Seem very tired or irritable
Furthermore, the HSE recommends immediately calling 999 for an ambulance if a parent or caregiver notices that:
● The infant/child has difficulty breathing
● If there are long pauses in the child or infant’s breathing