In recent weeks, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and other states have recorded an increase in hospital admissions and deaths from respiratory illnesses among children. High levels are caused by two pathogens: A. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Give BronchitisIt is Coronavirus II with severe respiratory symptomsBehind Covid-19.
Some hospitals have reached the maximum number of intensive care units (ICU). And yes, it is common for more respiratory viruses to spread with the arrival of autumn and winter, but high demand has broken the two-year pattern of declining this type of infection in children. Small.
“We have one more respiratory virus in history, the virus. Coronavirus. “As a result of the efforts made to prevent it in recent years, other viruses have ended in less traffic,” said Renato Kfouri, infectious disease specialist at the Department of Immunization of the Brazilian Children’s Society (SBP). .
There with The easing of scenario preventive measures has returned to normal. “However, as we have not seen sick children in recent years, the continuation of this case may frighten some people,” considered pediatrician Kelly Oliveira, Veja Saúde’s columnist. However, as we have not seen children sick in recent years.
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According to the latest Infogripe newsletter from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. 7.1 thousand Cases that occurred between May 22 and 28 of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) – Complications of type-infection; 2.5 thousand Occurs in children from 0 to 4 years old.
In this age group, the biggest problem is actually RSV, although the rate of transmission of Kovid 19 virus has also increased in line with the trend in adults. Between the ages of 5 and 11, Covid-19 remains a major concern.
Infantile Bronchiolitis
Thy Bronchitis It is an inflammatory disease that affects the bronchiole, the structure of the lungs. It can be caused by many viruses, but the most common is RSV, in which almost all children have contact during the first years of life without major complications.
The first symptoms are similar to the common cold: cough, runny nose and fever. “But the disease is also marked by Mucus in the lungs And Secrets in the respiratory tractKelly explains that leads to difficulty breathing. Then there may be a runny nose or shortness of breath in the chest and swelling. [inchaço] In the respiratory tract.
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In some cases, bronchitis leads to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, atelectasis. [fechamento de uma área do pulmão] And even death. Infants under 2 years of age are most affected by bronchitis. Newborns, premature babies, those with heart disease and those with chronic lung disease are at higher risk.
Oh Treatment of bronchiolitis It is made with anti-inflammatory and bronchodilators prescribed by a doctor. It may be necessary to go to a pediatric hospital to provide oxygen and monitor the condition closely.
And it’s good to remember that today’s most vulnerable audience was born in an epidemic. “They are virgins due to exposure to the virus and early infection is always the most dangerous disease to worsen due to immaturity of the immune system,” Kfouri added.
Infectious diseases in children
Although primarily a respiratory disease, Covid-19 may have different manifestations in children. “It’s a spectrum of symptoms: diarrhea, fever, skin changes…” includes Kelly. These complications, it should be noted, are not always accompanied by coughing and difficulty breathing.
If before children seemed to be protected from Sars-CoV-2, the increase in hospital stays and deaths from the disease by 2022 proved that it could be serious in this population. Among the consequences, prominent MyocarditisPost-Covid and MIS-C syndrome (severe systemic inflammation) in addition to severe acute respiratory symptoms.
And that probably has nothing to do with Oh, the micro. “Variants do not have an age preference. What happens is that the wave reaches the least protected population,” Kfouri said. This means that Brazil is leaving something to be desired.
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However, coverage for the pediatric vaccine against Covid-19 is only 60% for both drugs. Less than 35% of children complete the vaccination schedule. Thy False information And the absence of awareness campaigns are some of the factors that explain low adherence.
When to look for a hospital?
The most common sign of severity is Chronic feverWhich does not decline even with the use of antibiotics or for more than three days and Difficulty breathing. Discomfort is manifested by children breathing shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or rapid nasal movements.
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However, in minors, the worsening condition may be mild, with difficulty breastfeeding and increased irritability. If the child is crouching, has more numbness than usual and is “soft”, seek medical advice.
It is time to strengthen preventive measures
Oh Using masks Still important, especially in confined spaces and in high traffic. This applies both to children over 2 years of age (including in school) and to adults living with them.
If someone is sick at home, the ideal is to avoid contact with other family members, such as children with flu symptoms, should not go to school.
In case of VSR, members of the risk group can get palivizumabWhich is an immunoglobulin that provides ready-made antibodies to stop infection. Against Covid-19, people over 5 years of age can be vaccinated safely and effectively. In fact, it is possible that the vaccine will be released for the youngest in 2022.
Remember the case of Influenza Not yet started to grow – which is getting closer to winter. The flu vaccination campaign began in March, but vaccination agencies are running out of health centers.