The prevalence of RS virus remains at a high level in Vastra Götaland and many children require hospital care. The recommendation to keep children at home has been extended. The situation in the pediatric intensive care unit is critical with more than 100 more babies per day than usual.
Community spread of infection continues, with many different respiratory viruses such as influenza and novel coronavirus. On December 13, Smittskydd Västra Götaland issued a number of recommendations to protect children from the RS virus. One was that families with children under six months old were recommended to keep older siblings at home from foster care if possible. Now the period has been extended for another two weeks and thus applies until January 22nd.
There are a lot of babies who are sick and need oxygen, have trouble breathing and have trouble eating, says Catherine Adrian, chief physician in the pediatric intensive care unit at Queen Silvia Children’s Hospital.
It is important to protect young children. There is a huge spread of infection in the community right now, says Thomas Wahlberg, infectious disease physician Vastra Götaland, and we have to try to protect the most vulnerable as much as possible.
Infection with the RS virus can cause severe illness, especially in infants under six months of age. They may have difficulty breathing and need hospital care.
The RS spread was intense in Västra Götaland during December, and it’s not over yet. Children who go to daycare and meet many other children run the risk of catching RS there, and then taking the infection home with them.
Parents with young children under six months of age should exercise caution. The fact that the recommendation is broadened, says Thomas Wahlberg, is a way to reduce the risk of household transmission.
Other recommendations also continue to apply:
Avoid, as much as possible, meeting children with people who have cold symptoms.
Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Stay home from preschool, school, work or recreational activities if you are sick with a runny nose and cough.
The high prevalence of infection in the community means that the healthcare system is currently overburdened. Last Friday, Västra Götaland went into boost mode, which is the level above staff mode. By entering augmentation mode, the VGR can more quickly coordinate decisions, set priorities, and allocate resources to ensure access to health care.
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