RSV: what is it, and why are child cases surging in the wake of COVID?

[2greys]

Hospitals in the UK are seeing a rise in children suffering from severe respiratory infections. This includes an unseasonal surge in an infection called the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), in children as young as two months old. It has resulted in growing numbers of hospital admissions for bronchiolitis, a lung inflammation similar to bronchitis.

So why is RSV, considered a winter illness, peaking in the summer of 2021? Simply put, restrictions put in place for preventing the spread of COVID-19 held back other respiratory viruses too. As many countries are lifting these restrictions, many respiratory diseases are spreading again.

RSV is a common respiratory pathogen – so common in fact that nearly all of us are infected with it by the age of two. For the vast majority of people, this virus causes a mild disease resembling a heavy cold, with runny nose and cough. These symptoms normally resolve without treatment within a week or two.

However, in approximately one in three children, RSV can cause bronchiolitis, an inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest tubes in our lungs. This restricts the airways, and patients experience raised temperatures and difficulty breathing, often making a wheezing sound when drawing air.

theconversation.com/rsv-wha...

[pegbl]

That very interesting to note, especially as I have grandchildren.

[Maricopa in reply to pegbl]

It is awful. I was sick for five weeks. The cough is crazy. Thought I broke ribs. Then the phlegm is different texture than I’d ever seen. It truly was thick like gummy bear candy. I got a slight elevated temperature and all of a sudden my entire body began shaking. Rigors. That only last a few minutes. After that I laid down and fell into a very deep sleep like I’ve not done in years. My 84 year old Mom who lives with me ended up intubated in ICU with it. This was about two months ago. I’d never heard of RSV before we contracted it. They told me it was a child’s disease.

[Izb1 in reply to Maricopa]

How scary for both you and your mum Maricopa . I haven't heard of this before either. Hope you are both better now x

[sassy59 in reply to Maricopa]

It’s s horrible illness and I feel for you and your mum. I have heard of it and really hope our grandchildren don’t get it. Take care xxxx

[Annie31]

Good to know 2greys! My son had to call out an ambulance about ten days ago for my nine year-old grandson with symptoms you have described. The paramedics thought it might have been croup and gave him a dose of dexamethasone, hung around for a couple of hours to keep an eye on him. Before they left said to call them back if he relapsed, if not take him to see Dr in the morning. They managed to get a face-to-face appointment who confirmed that it was a viral infection that seemingly was affecting children! He was quite poorly for a couple of days, but once he started to feel better he got over it very quickly luckily.

[sassy59 in reply to Annie31]

Poor lad, glad he soon recovered. Xxxx

[Izb1]

Make's you wonder if our bodies need to have regular exposure to these types of bugs to keep the immune system upto date x

[Ergendl in reply to Izb1]

Yes, we do need to keep our immune systems mildly challenged in the normal course of things. That's why it's counterproductive to have your house so clean no germs can survive. (Note, this advice is not appropriate for people with immunity problems).

[sassy59]

It sounds awful. I’ll speak to my daughter and son about it. Xxx