Parents are being warned over an increase in cases of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) which can be fatal in infants if not treated properly.
Experts in the UK have sounded the alarm over soaring numbers of young patients presenting with the upper respiratory virus and have said parents should be on alert for symptoms.
Cases of RSV have been monitored in Ireland year-on-year since 2012, and accounts for many hospitalisations each year.
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Experts say they now fear some young children may not have built up any immunity to bugs like RSV and the flu, reports The Mirror.
Consultant epidemiologist Dr. Conall Watson told the Times: "For children under two, RSV can be severe - particularly for babies and those born prematurely."
This virus is easy to treat, but without medical intervention, it can become more serious so it is imperative to catch it early.
According to the HPSC, Symptoms can appear between 2 to 8 days after a person is infected and include the following:
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough and sometimes croup (a barking cough caused by inflammation of the upper airways)
- Wheezing
- Decreased appetite
- Ear infections (in children)
The infectious period lasts from shortly before onset of symptoms to one week after the onset of symptoms.
“However, even after recovery, very young infants and children with weakened immune systems can continue to spread the virus for one to three weeks. Most children recover from illness in 8 to 15 days,” the HPSC says.
Meanwhile, Irish parents are also being warned over a virus that sees kids being admitted to the ICU each year, as an expert lists the four most common tell-tale signs.
Cork-based doctor, Niamh Lynch took to Twitter during the week to warn that “Bronchiolitis is back with a bang.”
She says it is most commonly found in children aged under two and it is usually more severe for the youngsters.
To find out more about some of the main ‘red flags’ to look out for if your child is under the weather over the coming weeks and months, click here.
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