Syncytial virus reappears, causing more pediatric admissions
Respiratory viruses disappeared during the pandemic, thanks to social restrictions and control measures against covid, such as masks, which prevented the spread of any microorganism transmitted through the respiratory tract. With the relaxation of the measures, some viruses considered seasonal have reappeared, an example is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV.
What does it consist of?
RSV is one of the viruses that cause respiratory illnesses. It usually causes a cold that may be followed by bronchiolitis or pneumonia. RSV can affect people of all ages. But it is very common in young children. Almost all children become infected with respiratory syncytial virus by the age of 2 years.
The respiratory virus surveillance network detected in the 2019-2020 season, 4,578 cases of RSV and the peak was reached at the end of December 2019. This season, on the other hand, practically no cases have been reported, only 17 of influenza and 42 of RSV until May 23.
During these months, viruses such as Influenza, Rhinovirus, Adenovirus and RSV had practically disappeared. Now, however, there is a significant increase in RSV bronchiolitis and hospital admissions.
In Madrid, an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory infections in children has already been noted. Admissions for acute respiratory infections increased by 37% in just one week in children under four years of age. Other viruses, such as bocavirus or parainfluenza, have also returned, although with a lower incidence. The relaxation of containment measures, especially hand washing, in the case of children, may have increased transmission.
In periods when any seasonal respiratory disease can be easily confused with Covid-19, it is necessary to have multiple rapid tests that allow differential diagnosis quickly. This winter, the health department of the Generalitat de Catalunya made available to primary care pediatricians Juschek antigen rapid tests supplied by Tecil for the simultaneous detection of influenza virus, RSV and Adenovirus.
References
Newspaper “El País”. Article “Bronchiolitis in June: childhood respiratory viruses resurface” (June 2021): https://elpais.com/sociedad/2021-06-03/bronquiolitis-en-junio-los-virus-respiratorios-infantiles-vuelven-a-aflorar.html.
MedlinePlus Web. Article “Respiratory syncytial virus” (June 2021): https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/respiratorysyncytialvirusinfections.html.
HealthyChildren.org Web. Article ” Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): when the problem is more than just a cold” (June 2021): https://www.healthychildren.org/Spanish/health-issues/conditions/chest-lungs/Paginas/RSV-When-Its-More-Than-Just-a-Cold.aspx
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