Rapid spread of another respiratory virus in US detected as pandemic measures relax

Posted:

July 3, 2021 02:46 GMT

Respiratory syncytial virus is an easily transmitted virus that infects the respiratory tract and is the most common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in babies under one year of age in the North American country.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has started to spread in the United States, particularly in the south of the country, as restrictions imposed by the pandemic are relaxed and citizens take fewer precautions. Health authorities have warned that they are recording an unusually high number of cases of this viral disease, which is usually more common in the fall and winter, reports the Wall Street Journal.

“The things we were doing to protect ourselves from COVID-19 are also great at preventing us from getting the flu and RSV,” said Chulie Ulloa, pediatric infectious disease specialist. “As everything is relaxing, we will probably see a spike in some of these common infections that we normally see outside of a pandemic, ”he added.

How is it spread and what are the symptoms?

RSV is an easily transmitted virus that infects the respiratory tract. According to doctors, it is so common that almost all children encounter it before the age of two. Adults can also catch and spread the disease through droplets from coughing and sneezing and surfaces, and may even re-infect themselves.

People infected with the virus usually show symptoms 4 to 6 days after becoming infected, including runny nose, decreased appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezingAccording to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In infants, symptoms can be irritability, decreased activity, and difficulty breathing.

In most cases, the infection equivalent to a cold Yes those infected recover in a week or two, but it can also cause serious illness in some babies, children and the elderly, especially those with pre-existing health conditions.

In addition, RSV is the most common cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in babies less than a year in the North American country.