[The Epoch Times, 29 ottobre 2022](Reported by Epoch Times reporters Ma Shanen and He Yubo in Los Angeles)respiratory syncytial virus(RSV), a virus that can cause breathing difficulties in children, has started an outbreak in recent days, putting a strain on some of California’s largest children’s hospitals. Experts believe the early outbreak of the virus in October is unusual and that parents with babies and young children should take precautions.
In addition to RSV, othersrespiratory disease, including influenza and CCP virus infections are on the rise. CDC officials still don’t know why there are more of them this year than in previous yearsCases of RSV。
James Stein, medical director of the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, said in a statement that RSV and othersrespiratory diseaseOverwhelmed by their emergency room, they have done their best to accept respiratory patients who have been referred from elsewhere, but are unable to continue receiving patients due to emergency room capacity limitations.
Not only in Los Angeles, but also in San Diego. Nearly 400 children have tested positive for RSV in the past two weeks at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, CBS8 reported. In combination with other virus patients, patients have to wait a long time in the emergency room.
The emergency room of Oakland Hospital in Northern California was also overcrowded. The outbreak of RSV and respiratory disease has left hospitals under capacity and patients waiting in emergency rooms, Christopher Vlasses, a pediatric resident at the University of California, San Francisco, Benioff, told Bay Area media. .
In Orange County, Southern California, RVS cases at Children’s Hospital have tripled in the past three weeks.
Symptoms of the RSV virus, including runny nose, cough, fever, or sore throat. Most children are exposed to the RSV virus once around 2 years of age. For most children, the virus is very mild and is similar to the airborne PCC virus. Other than, mainly through surface contact, washing hands frequently and avoiding contact with people with cold symptoms are very effective in preventing and treating this virus.
Cedars-Sinai Hospital states on its official website that children may appear lethargic and have poor appetite after contracting RSV, which could be the first stage of their discomfort. They may have difficulty breathing. He may or may not have a fever. Parents need to pay attention to these early signs: loss of appetite and difficulty breathing.
In a statement, Dr. Priya Soni, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, said health experts are most concerned about RSV, the flu and the Chinese. virus, the overlap of these three viruses and other viruses, is certainly a big problem in the coming months.
Another hospital doctor, Ira Wardono, reported in the Los Angeles Times that he had seen patients tested positive for multiple viruses and were concerned that the resulting overpopulation could cause insufficient beds in emergency rooms and inpatient wards. One thing parents can do, he thinks, is to make sure their children get the flu shot and the booster vaccine for Covid-19.
Early injection of antibody prophylaxis
According to statistics, about 2 million children under the age of 5 are infected with the RSV virus every year in the United States, 60,000 children are hospitalized and 100 to 500 die; about 14,000 people.
The RSV virus usually spreads from November to March of the following year. High-risk groups include infants under 12 months of age, particularly under 6 months of age, premature babies, infants with congenital heart disease or chronic lung disease, and infants with weakened immune systems. The highest risk is for babies under 3 months of age.
Doctors recommend an injection of a monoclonal antibody called palivizumab for babies in high-risk settings, including babies born prematurely, with chronic lung disease or congenital heart disease. Going into flu season, antibody therapy will be a preventative series of vaccines, and parents will need to communicate with their child’s medical facility to see if they fall into the appropriate category.
Doctor’s advice: If you find that your child cannot eat or drink due to coughing and is accompanied by breathing difficulties, you should contact the hospital immediately to avoid delaying treatment. ◇
Responsible editor: Yu Ming
