Canada has begun to lift Covid restrictions in the country. The social distancing and travel restrictions are being reduced as the number of Covid cases are dropping significantly. Meanwhile, doctors have cautioned the authorities about a possible off-season resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
The respiratory virus affects newborns and old adults. Following the relaxation in Covid restrictions, the cases of Respiratory syncytial virus have increased dramatically in Australia and, more recently, the United States.
What is RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)?
According to several reports, RSV is a primary cause of lower respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis, which cause approximately 2.7 million fatalities globally every year. It causes bronchiolitis in young children under the age of two and is extremely contagious.
In an interview, Dr. Pascal Lavoie of the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia said, "We wanted to alert mainly the medical community, the need to be prepared... and also for families, particularly for parents of high-risk babies."
Who are at risk?
RSV can infect anyone at any age, but infections later in life are often less dangerous.
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is a very common, highly contagious virus that infects the respiratory system of nearly all children before they turn two years old.
Premature babies, children under the age of two who have heart or lung illness, and children with weaker immune systems are at the highest risk of severe infection.
Adults with impaired immune systems, and older adults, especially those with underlying heart or lung disease, are also at risk for severe symptoms.
How does Covid restriction affect the surge of RSV cases?
Cases of RSV declined drastically during the pandemic, according to researchers. Social distancing measures stopped its spread.
In Canada, for instance, just 239 RSV tests were reported between August 29, 2020, and May 8, 2021, compared to 18,660 cases the year before.
However, as Covid restrictions have been relaxed in Australia and the United States, case numbers have begun to rise, and Canada could expect the same, say experts.
Symptoms in Children
A very frequent cough, audible wheezing, sucking in around the ribs with breathing, flaring of the nostrils, trouble talking, or a weak cry, pallor or a blue tinge to the skin, unusual sleepiness or weakness- all are considered as the symptoms of the infection.
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Preventive measures
So far there's no treatment for the respiratory infection but good hygiene can help prevent it.
- Most RSV infections go away on their own in one to two weeks, but parents can help their children by making sure they get enough rest, drink lots of fluids, and use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
- Medications such as pain relievers, nasal drops or sprays, cough syrups and drops, throat lozenges, and decongestants can also be used to treat symptoms.
- However, before giving their children cold and cough medicines, parents should consult with their healthcare practitioner because some include components that are harmful to children.
- A drug called palivizumab, which is given by injection, can prevent severe RSV infection in infants and children who are at high risk of severe illness. It cannot, however, cure or treat children who have already been infected with RSV, nor can it prevent infection.
- The best method to prevent the infection from spreading is to always practise proper respiratory hygiene.