2024-01-08 14:29:31
“During Christmas week, the number of RSV cases reported by laboratories decreased by 45% to 77 cases,” indicates Health in its weekly report on respiratory infections. Respiratory syncytial virus is known to cause illness in newborns and children, including bronchiolitis. According to Revilux, there have been 103 cases of RSV identified this season so far, including 75 patients under the age of four. Dr. Serge Allard, pediatrician, has also already seen patients with RSV in his office.
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One thing is clear: the number of small patients infected with the virus is significantly lower than in previous years. In 2021 and 2022, the Kannerklinik was overcrowded in winter, there was a large influx of RSV patients and pediatricians sounded the alarm. “The occupancy rate of pediatric beds is higher than the occupancy rate of normal hospital beds during the peak of the covid pandemic at the beginning of 2020,” pediatrician Isabel De La Fuente emphasized in 2022 during an urgently called press conference.
Benign evolution in case of covid infection
This year the situation is different. “No wave of RSV has been detected at the Kanner clinic,” explains Serge Allard. There are several reasons for this, he continues. It might be, for example, that following two winters marked by numerous cases of RSV, children are now immune to this virus. In addition, a new vaccine once morest the virus arrived on the Luxembourg market last fall. Subsequently, this protection was offered to each newborn.
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“The majority of parents accepted this offer,” explains the pediatrician. Many would have even explicitly asked for it. At the start of the cold season, there was concern that the number of vaccine doses would not be sufficient. These fears have not been confirmed. In the meantime, sufficient deliveries have arrived in Luxembourg. “For the moment, there are enough vaccines available, both in pediatric practices and in maternity wards,” explains Dr. Allard.
Stay cool and if the fever doesn’t go away following two or three days, see a doctor.
Dr Serge Allard
The vaccination campaign is “probably at the origin of the mildness of this year’s RSV wave,” according to the pediatrician. He does not think that the wave might regain momentum, even following the end of the school holidays and the return of children to school. There have already been many cases of RSV this cold season, but “this wave has already slowed down significantly, the peak is behind us”.
Regarding coronavirus infections, the doctor also raised the alert. Many children have been infected with the virus, but “the course of an infection with the current variant is much shorter than before,” reassures Dr. Allard. Children who test positive for covid, but otherwise feel well, can even go to school.
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According to him, this does not mean that there will be no more sick children this winter. “We have a lot of mycoplasma infections,” he emphasizes. This group of bacteria is known to cause atypical pneumonia. The infections were confirmed by laboratories. They are treated with antibiotics.
Dr. Allard’s office also received the first children who tested positive for the flu. Among adults too, Health has already reported the start of the flu epidemic, although it was stronger last year.
The pediatrician finally has some advice to give to parents. Even if the child is sick and tired, parents must remain calm. “Stay cool and if the fever doesn’t go away in two or three days, see a doctor.”
This article was originally published on the Luxemburger Wort site.
Adaptation: Pascal Mittelberger.
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