Infection
Off-season Rsv Spike Results In Severe Cases In City Infants |
Nov
Hyderabad: Cases related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), one of the common viruses which is typically seen between June and September months, are not only being seen now but the virus is also resulting in severe cases in infants requiring critical care.
With the season prolonging well into November, child care specialists are seeing at least 3-4 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions with severe breathlessness while 60-70 cases of RSV are being treated on outpatient basis, each week at major hospitals.The duration of illness is also prolonged, say experts.
RSV has a high mortality and morbidity in infants, even though its symptoms are largely like that of any other flu — fever, cough, cold, running nose and breathlessness.
Symptoms start about two to five days after contact with the virus. “The early phase of RSV in babies and young children is often mild, like the common cold. In younger children, the illness may cause inflammation in the airways (bronchiolitis) and lungs (pneumonia) causing more severe illness. The symptoms of RSV can however mimic many other respiratory viral infections. The child needs to be seen by a paediatrician if any worrying symptoms like high temperatures, severe cough, poor feeding, or breathing difficulties, drowsiness are seen,” said Dr Srinivas Jakka, senior consultant paediatrician and pulmonologist, Ankura Hospital for Women and Children.
While majority of the patients recover in a week or two with mild cold-like symptoms, the disease can be severe in infants. Also, babies born prematurely or with diseases of the heart, lung, or immune system are at increased risk for more severe illness.
We also published the following articles recently
Healthcare professionals in Pune are reporting a mysterious respiratory illness affecting children. The patients exhibit flu-like symptoms but test negative for both influenza and Covid-19. Doctors suspect a seasonal respiratory virus that is undetectable through PCR tests. Although the infections are not severe and patients recover in a few days, the high fever associated with the illness is causing anxiety and increasing hospitalization rates. Some children have tested positive for Covid antibodies, suggesting recent infection. Cases of respiratory illnesses have surged by 25% in the past week.
A rising number of children in Kolkata, including infants, are contracting viral respiratory tract infections due to seasonal changes. Many require intensive care, such as oxygen support and IV fluid therapy. The most common virus detected is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), followed by rhinovirus and influenza. Symptoms include cough, fever, rashes, and vomiting. Health experts attribute the increase to seasonal fluctuations in temperature. Admissions for respiratory infections have risen, with some children needing non-invasive or invasive ventilatory support. The state health department has had to increase facilities and manpower to accommodate the influx of cases.
Gurgaon experienced severe air pollution for the second day in a row, with two out of four stations recording hazardous air conditions. The pollution watchdog has halted all construction work in Delhi-NCR and imposed restrictions under GRA. The poor air quality is the result of thermal inversion, trapping pollutants emitted by vehicles, road dust, and farm fires in Punjab and Haryana. Experts warn that the situation could worsen if meteorological conditions do not improve. Residents, especially those with lung ailments, are advised to avoid going outdoors.
