Parents have been warned to look out for danger sign as respiratory virus hits children hard
'As soon as they get a blocked nose or runny nose, coughing or high temperature parents might think it's just flu but should be aware we are in the peak season of RSV,' Dr Moodley said
PRIVATE hospitals have been flooded with patients, owing to a flu-like virus which has been spreading in the area, particularly among children.
The highly contagious Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which is at its peak between February and March on the coast of KZN, is reported to be the most common cause of viral pneumonia in children with most children infected by the age of two years.
According to World Health Organisation, the respiratory infection has been reported to globally affect over 30 million children under the age of five and resulting in more than 3.4 million hospital admissions for severe cases each year.
Parents have been warned to look out for danger signs in their children.
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These include blocked or runny nose, high temperature, loss of appetite, a productive cough and wheezing.
Richards Bay paediatrician Dr Samantha Moodley who has diagnosed more than 12 patients with the virus, emphasised the importance of monitoring and seeking medical attention for children showing RSV symptoms.
‘As soon as they get a blocked nose or runny nose, coughing or high temperature parents might think it’s just flu but should be aware we are in the peak season of RSV,’ Dr Moodley said.
Dr Moodley said children with a strong immune system can fight it off like a normal flu virus.
‘But if their system is compromised they are at high risk.
‘This includes babies that were born prematurely or those with heart conditions. Elderly people are also at risk.
‘Babies under six months are not able to fight it off because their immune system is not fully developed,’ she said.
She advised that good hygiene is vital in keeping the germs from spreading.
‘Hand-washing is very important.
‘It lingers on hands and toys at home and in crèches, so toys must be cleaned and disinfected.
‘If you know that there are children at crèche that are not feeling well, ideally you should ask their parents to take them home because they are at risk of infecting all the other children.
‘If there’s a baby at home and they have siblings, changing their clothes and washing their hands when they return home from school can also stop the spread.’ Adults should also do the same, as prevention is key in managing the virus,’ Dr Moodley said.
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