RS virus: These symptoms indicate a difficult course

Many diseases have a high season in the wet and cold autumn and winter months. In addition to the annual flu wave, the RS virus, in short for respiratory syncytial virus, is currently worried. Because an above -average number of small children and babies have to be treated with severe symptoms in the hospital.

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Everyone can get infected with the respiratory syncytial virus. Also several times in life. This means that an infection that has already been survived does not ensure complete immunity. However, for a basic immunity. At least that's how it was in front of Corona. If a child had survived an RSV infection, even with stronger symptoms of illness, a new infection often only led to mild symptoms and a kind of maintenance of the basic immunity.

Due to the Corona protection measures, however, children (and adults) were not in very much contact with the RS virus. This ensured that the virus was less present, but the basic immunity was lost in many. Experts believe that this is the reason for the currently large wave of infection.

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RSV is an infection of the lower airways. Babies and small children are often more affected because on the one hand their airways are much smaller, narrower and therefore more sensitive. In this way, the RS virus can lead to bronchiolitis or even pneumonia faster.

And that also because the immune system of babies and small children is still under construction. Babies can get antibodies against RSV over their mother before birth, who at least protect against severe infection in the first weeks of life. However, the corona protection measures in recent years have also weakened the basic immunity of mothers. The transfer of antibodies to the baby is less.

By the way:Earlyborn children in particular have a higher risk of having difficulty falling to RSV. Due to the early birth, they lack the antibodies of the mother, which are passed on especially in the last weeks of pregnancy.

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Classic symptoms for infection with RS viruses areCoughing, runny nose and fever, irritability and loss of appetite. The disease does not differ from other (respiratory) diseases. If a baby or toddler shows these symptoms, a pediatrician should always be consulted. The smaller a child is, the faster you should see a doctor.

The infection becomes more difficult when the child shows symptoms of shortness of breath. If a baby or toddler breathes particularly quickly and flat, the nostrils move excessively when breathing or pulls the skin on the neck in the inner breath, the sign that the child has problems with breathing. There are also noise when inhaling and exhaling, rattling or whistling, a sign that the lung is heavily infected and a doctor should be consulted.

Small babies also show a drinking weakness in an infection. If parents observe this, a doctor should always be consulted. It can only be a blocked nose, but also a more difficult infection.

DANGER:If the lips of a baby or small child turn bluish, you have to act immediately! Blue lips indicate that there is already too little oxygen in the tissue. In this case, call an ambulance.

The infection with RSV usually takes place through a droplet infection. The treacherous thing about the virus: it can be survived not only in the air, but also on surfaces and passed it on quickly. Since the virus is currently rampant everywhere, in kindergartens, schools and also in offices, it is particularly difficult to protect yourself from infection.

But if you practice general hygiene measures such as regular hand washing, removal and regular ventilation in rooms with many people, you can already do a lot to protect against infection. You can also strengthen your immune system by drinking a lot and moving sufficiently in the fresh air.

There is also a kind of vaccination against the RS virus for children with a particularly high risk of a difficult course. This includes premature babies, children with congenital heart or lung diseases and also children with neurological diseases. You can get passive immunization in the season typical of the RS virus, which must be refreshed every four weeks by means of an injection with antibodies. However, this passive immunization is only recommended to children who belong to a risk group.