The warmer weather can trick us into feeling like we’re out of the RSV and Flu woods, but parents need to remain vigilant
That’s according to GP, Dr. Maire Finn from Ennis Centric health who says we “are still in the RSV and Flu season”.
Respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV, cause infections in the upper respiratory tract which can cause serious illness in young children.
Speaking to Newstalk, Dr. Finn said: “It happens every year. But what’s really important is people know about it and are aware of the symptoms and know when to be concerned.”
She went on to explain: “Most viruses enter your system through your nose or through your nasal passages.
“So, it starts [with] upper respiratory [symptoms] – sniffles, bit of a cold, bit of a temperature, maybe a sore ear – which are usually pretty mild.
“With a certain number of kids, it actually develops into lower respiratory symptoms and that’s when it goes down into the lungs – this kind of wet, barky cough.”
The GP warned that RSV can affect anyone, but causes much more serious illness in babies under one year old and other more vulnerable babies too.
“90% of children get exposed and infected by RSV by the age of two, but thankfully, only a small percentage will end up with lower respiratory symptoms.
“But it is the leading cause of hospitalisation.”
Dr Finn said children recover in different ways from RSV and it’s important to know that “most of them will recover within one to two weeks.”
She said: “That cough will persist for one to two weeks, but some of them become really exhausted.
“They get really tired, they’re fighting an infection, and they get really tired, so they become lethargic, they don’t feed well, they get dehydrated as a result.
“Then they have the symptoms associated with a temperature, possibly, and then they have the respiratory symptoms too, where they’re breathing quickly, or they’re struggling with their breath.
“As a parent or a caregiver, you just need to know the symptoms [and when to] seek help if you’re in any way concerned, because you’re never wasting anybody’s time.”
It’s incredibly important to wash your hands properly and cough into your elbow to avoid spreading viruses via droplets.
“If you have any symptoms yourself, stay away from small children or other vulnerable adults,” she said.
“If you have a small baby, don’t be afraid to say, ‘Please don’t kiss the baby’ – it’s not something that we feel comfortable doing, but it is important this time of year.
“The only way you can prevent it with 100% certainty is just trying to avoid contact – RSV is so contagious.”
The only way to cure RSV is to get a lot of rest, fluids and keeping the body’s temperature under control.
However, if you or your child is experiencing more serious symptoms, it is recommended that you seek profession medical advice.
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