HEALTH bosses have warned of a surge in a super common bug that can cause dangerous lung infections – amid fears of a winter “tripledemic”.
An uptick in RSV infections has seen more babies admitted to hospital with severe chest infections, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said.
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RSV stands for respiratory syncytial virus – it’s a common and contagious group of viruses that’s behind many childhood coughs and colds.
In fact, most children will get an infection caused by RSV before the age of two.
The bug can cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis.
Most tots will only get cold-like symptoms and a slightly high temperature from the infection, but they can also start wheezing and breathing more quickly.
In some cases, bronchiolitis can turn serious, causing breathing difficulties that will need to be treated in hospital.
UKHSA said more babies had been taken to hospital with a serious chest infection in the week leading up to October 10.
Dr Conall Watson, consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “We are beginning to see cases of RSV increasing, as well as emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis, caused by RSV.”
According to the health watchdog, emergency department attendances for acute bronchiolitis have increased across the country.
It comes amid warnings of looming a winter “tripledemic” caused by “colliding” surges of Covid, flu and RSV.
The NHS rolled out a vital jab that protects against RSV infections just a few months ago.
It’s being offered to pregnant women to help pass on protection to their babies against RSV and illnesses like bronchiolitis.
Expectant mums have been invited to book a free jab once they reach 28 weeks.
Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help build a good level of antibodies to pass on to their baby before birth, UKHSA noted.
Newborn babies will receive protection from the bug this way, even if they are born early.
What is bronchiolitis?
BRONCHIOLITIS is a common chest infection that affects babies and children under the age of two.
It is different to bronchitis which causes a cough with lots of mucus and affects people of all ages.
Bronchiolitis is usually relatively mild and can be treated at home, but it can be very serious.
Early symptoms include:
- Sneezing
- Runny or blocked nose
- Cough
- Slightly higher temperature of 38C
When the condition worsens, kids might also experience:
- Breathing more quickly
- Finding it difficult to feed or eat
- Wheezing
- Irritability
Symptoms are usually the worst between days three and five. The cough usually gets better within three weeks.
There is no specific treatment for bronchiolitis and it often gets better on its own.
But it can be serious in some cases, and children may need to go to hospital.
You should call 999 or go to A&E if your youngster is struggling to breathe, making grunting noises or sucking their tummy under their ribs.
Other red flags are pauses in breaths, blue skin, tongue or lips, and floppiness and difficulty staying awake.
Parents should ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if their child has a cold that is getting worse, they are eating much less than normal, their nappy has been dry for more than 12 hours, they feel hotter than usual or they are acting very tired or irritable.
Around one in three babies will develop bronchiolitis in the first year of their lives, according to the National Childcare Trust.
One per cent of those hospitalised die from the illness, government figures show.
Source: NHS
The jab is also being offered to older adults, as they can be vulnerable to severe illness from RSV infections too.
Dr Watson said: “RSV lung infections like bronchiolitis are a major cause of babies needing to visit A&E or be admitted to hospital each winter.
“The RSV vaccine in pregnancy is an important step in keeping babies well.
“Women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant should take it up now, along with people aged 75-79 years who are also offered the vaccine by the NHS as part of the new programmes.”
When to get help for your baby’s cold
The epidemiologist shared key warning signs indicating your baby might need hospital treatment for a lung infection.
“If your baby has a cold that is getting worse, or that is causing unusual breathing or problems feeding, call NHS 111 or contact your GP practice.
“As a parent trust your judgement and if your baby seems seriously unwell go to A&E or call 999.”
Dr Watson also shared some tips for protecting your baby against winter bugs.
“Washing your hands regularly and using tissues can reduce the spread of RSV and other viruses,” he said.
“People who are unwell with colds should try and avoid visiting newborn babies and other vulnerable groups.”
Who is eligible for free Covid, flu and RSV vaccines
In line with JCVI advice, those eligible for a flu vaccine this year include:
From 3 October:
- Those aged 65 years and over
- Those aged 18 years to under 65 years in clinical risk groups (as defined by the Green Book)
- Those in long-stay residential care homes
- Carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person
- Close contacts of immunocompromised individuals
- Frontline workers in a social care setting without an employer led occupational health scheme – including those working for a registered residential care or nursing home, registered domiciliary care providers, voluntary managed hospice providers
- Those who receive direct payments (personal budgets) or Personal Health budgets, such as Personal Assistants.
From 1 September:
- Pregnant women
- All children aged 2 or 3 years on 31 August 2024
- Primary school aged children (from Reception to Year 6)
- Secondary school aged children (from Year 7 to Year 11)
- All children in clinical risk groups aged from 6 months to less than 18 years
Those eligible for an autumn Covid booster are:
- Residents in a care home for older adults
- All adults aged 65 years and over
- Persons aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk group, as defined in the Green Book, including pregnant women
- Frontline health and social care workers and staff in care homes for older adults
UKHSA also shared updates on Covid and flu cases.
Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, a consultant epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “This week’s data shows that Covid-19 remains at low to moderate levels.
“Flu positivity is gradually increasing, however levels remain low.
“We expect viral respiratory infections to increase as the season progresses, so don’t wait for it to hit your household, get vaccinated and make sure you are protected this winter.”
It comes after the health watchdog urged the “missing million” – vulnerable Brits who haven’t taken up their flu, Covid and RSV shots – to get vaccinated for vital protection against dangerous bugs.
A new Covid-19 variant dubbed XEC that’s spreading “rapidly” across the globe has experts on the lookout.
Dr Lopez Bernal said: “Our current surveillance shows that around one in 10 sequenced Covid cases are the ‘XEC’ lineage however information doesn’t suggest we should be more concerned about this variant.
“We are monitoring this closely and vaccination still offers the best protection.
“If you are showing symptoms of flu or Covid-19 such as a high temperature, cough, and feeling tired and achy, try to limit your contact with others, especially those who are vulnerable.”
