I visited King’s College Hospital’s Children’s A & E Department to help decorate the Christmas Tree.
I met families waiting with little ones mostly suffering breathing problems as a result of winter viruses. As a parent I remember how scary it can be to watch your child struggling with a horrible cough.
Each winter our National Health Service comes under more pressure and this year is unfortunately no exception.
GPs and hospital doctors are currently concerned about the possible impact of a “quad-nemic” because four different common viruses or pathogens – flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and norovirus—are circulating simultaneously.
Addressing the potential impact of these four conditions requires that the NHS focuses on prevention and we all have our part to play, whether we are a parent, have an older relative or can just keep an eye out for our neighbours, friends and families.
Vaccination has a key part to play, particularly for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, those with underlying health conditions, and health and social care workers. If you have been offered a flu or COVID-19 jab then please do take this up to protect yourself, your friends and families but above all our wider NHS this winter.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that can affect children in a number of ways. Symptoms are similar to a cold, and include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, and sometimes fever. In children, RSV can also cause ear infections and croup, a barking cough.
RSV is usually not severe in healthy children, but it can be dangerous for infants and older adults. RSV can lead to more serious illnesses like bronchiolitis and pneumonia, especially in children under 1 year old.
Most children don’t need specific treatment for RSV, and doctors recommend care at-home to ease symptoms. Parents or guardians should seek urgent care if your child: is unwell and getting worse, is eating or feeding much less than normal, has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, feels hotter than usual when you touch their back or chest or has a temperature of 38C or higher if they are under 3 months old, or 39C or higher if they are older than 3 months.
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Let’s all do our bit to keep the NHS protected this winter.
