RKI sees RSV wave rolling in
Coughing, sneezing, fever: according to the Robert Koch Institute, more and more children are becoming infected with the respiratory syncytial virus. The youngest among them in particular have to be hospitalized. This is because ventilation may be necessary in severe cases.
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the wave of RSV infections has begun in Germany. The beginning is dated retroactively to the week starting November 20, as the RKI announced in its current weekly report on acute respiratory diseases. RSV is the abbreviation for respiratory syncytial virus.
"Children under the age of two are particularly affected by hospitalization with RSV infection," writes the RKI on the current situation. According to the report, coronavirus infections and colds caused by rhinoviruses are also currently playing a role in Germany. A flu epidemic is not yet in sight.
Children usually get a runny nose and lose their appetite first when infected with RSV. The throat can become inflamed. "Coughing and sneezing follow, and a fever often occurs," writes the Federal Center for Health Education on its website. As a result, pneumonia, for example, is possible. In severe cases, ventilation may be necessary.
Experts expect a normal wave
Last fall and winter, there was a severe wave of RSV in many countries. Many children were affected who had previously had no contact with the pathogen due to the coronavirus pandemic and the measures taken against it. Hospitals and pediatric practices were temporarily overloaded. German experts are now expecting a more normal wave again this winter.
Risk groups for severe cases of RSV include premature babies, children with pre-existing lung disease or heart defects, adults over 65 and people with an impaired immune system. In principle, you can fall ill with it at any age and become infected repeatedly. According to the RKI, the spread in the population was underestimated for a long time. An RSV reporting obligation is still relatively new.
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The Robert Koch Institute also mentions an increase in coronavirus and rhinovirus infections alongside RSV in Germany, emphasizing the ongoing importance of education about proper hygiene and respiratory etiquette to prevent the spread of these viruses.
Given the recent wave of RSV infections reported by the Robert Koch Institute, some experts recommend getting vaccinated against the flu as an additional precaution, as flu and RSV can sometimes occur at the same time and have similar symptoms.
Source: www.ntv.de
