UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), East Midlands is encouraging parents in the region to be aware of the signs of respiratory illnesses in young children, as we head into the autumn/winter months. Respiratory illnesses, including colds and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are very common in young children and are seen by medics every year.
Last winter, due to the various restrictions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, there were far fewer infections in younger people. This means many will not have developed immunity and so we may see more cases this year than in a typical season. For the majority of children, these illnesses will not be serious, and they will soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.
RSV is a very common virus and almost all children are infected with it by the time they are two years old. In older children and adults, RSV may cause a cough or cold.
However, some children under two, especially those born prematurely or with a heart condition, can suffer more serious consequences from these common infections such as bronchiolitis, an inflammatory infection of the lower airways – which can make it hard to breath.
Nicholas and Nazia’s daughter Emaya (aged three months at the time), developed a wheeze and bad cough and deteriorated quickly.
Nicholas, said: “We booked an appointment with the GP when our daughter caught RSV and developed a severe cough. But when her condition got worse and she was struggling to breath, we used NHS 111 online and got a call back from a doctor the same evening.
“The experience of being booked in at a hospital for urgent treatment was excellent, we were straight into the children’s hospital where the doctor was expecting us and had a room booked where Emaya could sleep without noises. We hated the thought of taking a distressed and sick baby into an emergency department in a pushchair hours after bedtime. Because we started by getting the right advice through NHS 111 we managed to cut out so much waiting and it was reassuring to have answers to our questions at each stage.
“In the space of a few hours our daughter was assessed and then seen by a paediatrician at the children’s hospital. Thankfully she was discharged the same night with a prescription and advice about how to manage the symptoms.”
The early symptoms of bronchiolitis are similar to those of a common cold but can develop over a few days into a high temperature of 37.8°C or above (fever), a dry and persistent cough, difficulty feeding, rapid or noisy breathing (wheezing).
Most cases of bronchiolitis are not serious and clear up within two to three weeks, but you should contact your GP or call NHS 111 if:
- You are worried about your child.
- Your child has taken less than half their usual amount during the last two or three feeds, or they have had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more.
- Your child has a persistent high temperature of 37.8C or above.
- Your child seems very tired or irritable.
Dial 999 for an ambulance if:
- your baby is having difficulty breathing.
- your baby's tongue or lips are blue.
- there are long pauses in your baby's breathing.
David Pearce, Regional Deputy Director for Health Protection, UKHSA East Midlands, said: “This winter, we expect levels of common seasonal illnesses such as cold and flu to increase in the East Midlands as people mix more and given that fewer people will have built up natural immunity during the pandemic.
“Children under two are at a particular risk of severe infections from common seasonal illnesses. If a child under two is suffering from a cold, keep a close eye on their symptoms and make sure to contact your doctor if they get a high temperature, become breathless or have difficulty feeding.
“It’s important that we carry on with good hygiene habits that we’ve become used to during the pandemic, such as regular handwashing in order to protect ourselves and those around us.”
NHS England began planning for the potential rise in paediatric respiratory infections in April 2021, with paediatric units bringing forward their usual winter planning, escalation and emergency processes which will support an increased capacity in terms of beds, workforce and ward supplies.