Signs of worsening RSV infection… If you have difficulty breathing or show signs of dehydration, you should be admitted to hospital.
Posted 2024.01.16 9.00pm Views 2 Posted 2024.01.16 9.00pm Modified 2024.01.16 4.03pm Views 2
The most common symptoms of RSV infection include cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever, and nasal congestion, which are similar to the initial symptoms of a cold or flu. [사진= 게티이미지뱅크]As influenza spreads, quarantine authorities are on alert as the number of acute respiratory infections in infants and children due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is increasing. On the 15th, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency called for thorough infection control and compliance with personal hygiene rules to prevent infection in infants and children.
RSV is a highly contagious virus that spreads when droplets enter the eyes, nose and mouth through coughing, sneezing or contact. Anyone, at any age, can be infected, but the incidence is particularly high in infants and children under 2 years old, who have weak immune systems. If left untreated, it can easily worsen into serious respiratory diseases such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia.
According to surveillance information from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the number of patients hospitalized with RSV in December last year was 192 in the first week (3rd to 9th), 276 in the 2nd week (10th to 16th), 368 in the 3rd week. week (17 to 23) and week 4. (24 to 30) The number continued to increase to 454. In the first week of this year (31 to 6 January 2024), 421 people were registered. The percentage of seriously ill patients is also significant. In the first week of this year, the number of patients hospitalized for acute respiratory infections was COVID-19, influenza and RSV, but if you look at the hospitalization status of seriously ill patients, the number of patients with RSV was the second largest after the flu. This is surveillance data from 218 hospitals nationwide (acute respiratory infections) and 42 tertiary general hospitals (severe acute respiratory infections).
RSV is especially vulnerable to premature infants, infants younger than 6 months, infants with chronic lung or heart disease, infants with weakened immune systems, and infants with neuromuscular disorders. Among adults, the elderly, patients with chronic lung disease or heart disease, organ transplant patients, and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are vulnerable to infections.
RSV begins with cold-like symptoms
The most common symptoms of RSV infection include cough, runny nose, sneezing, fever and nasal congestion, which are similar to the initial symptoms of a cold or flu. Symptoms worsen in 25 to 40 percent of newborns with RSV infection. If you cough with a wheezing or crackling sound, the virus may have already spread to your lower airways and caused inflammation in the narrow airways leading to your lungs. As symptoms progress, bronchiolitis or pneumonia may occur, which can become serious and require hospitalization.
Most cases of RSV infection do not require testing to confirm infection. However, depending on the medical history and the moment, it is necessary to verify the presence of the virus and the number of white blood cells by performing an oral or nasal mucosal examination or a blood test at the discretion of the specialist. If the condition is serious enough to require hospitalization, a chest X-ray or chest CT scan is done to check for lung complications.
The following are cases in which you need to quickly contact medical personnel. First, if you are short of breath and your breathing is shallow and abnormally fast, you should see a professional to check for chest wall collapse. Chest wall depression is where the chest wall sinks into the abdomen between the ribs during breathing. Secondly, it is a case where the baby does not drink water or milk well. Third, if the child is particularly tired or the lips or nails are blue. Fourth, if the child is wheezing and coughing. Five: If the temperature exceeds 38 degrees in children under 3 months of age, you should immediately go to the emergency room, and if it exceeds 39 degrees in children between 3 and 6 months, you should contact a doctor on the same day.
If you have difficulty breathing or show signs of dehydration, you should be admitted to hospital.
According to the Korea Agency for Disease Control and Prevention, mild symptoms of RSV infection disappear within one to two weeks without treatment. If you experience symptoms, you can manage fever and pain with fever reducers and pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as prescribed by your doctor. However, you should not use aspirin. In the case of children, guardians must carefully monitor sufficient fluid intake through water, juice, milk, etc. Young children should be carefully monitored for signs of dehydration by checking urine output (number of diaper changes).
Symptoms that initially appear do not improve and gradually worsen, or signs that indicate difficulty breathing (irregular breathing, nostrils that flare with each breath, cyanosis, breathing with a depressed chest and abdomen, short, shallow, slow or fast breathing ). when shortness of breath, short pause in breathing or dehydration is observed, hospitalization is required. To relieve symptoms, you may receive treatments such as fluid therapy, breathing monitoring, removal of respiratory secretions, and oxygen supply. Antibiotic treatment is rarely necessary, but people at high risk of severe respiratory failure may require treatment with oxygen in the intensive care unit.
Meanwhile, in July 2023, the US FDA approved a vaccine to prevent RSV in infants and young children. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination for all infants and young children in preparation for the RSV epidemic season. It is expected to go on sale in Korea as early as this year.
Reporter Park Hyo-soon
anytoc@kormedi.com
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