The RS virus has spread like wildfire in recent winters, causing concern among parents across the country. But what exactly is RS and how common is it for children to get sick? In this article, pediatric nurse Matilda helps us clear up any questions parents may have about RS.

Right now, there is a lot of concern among parents about the RS virus, which is a type of cold that affects the respiratory tract of both children and adults. But how worried should you be about your little ones? In fact, the disease in children over 2 years old and adults is rarely serious. For young children, it can be a bit worse because they only breathe through their nose, and therefore may have difficulty breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. It can be scary, and it can be especially tough because an RS infection often takes a little longer to fully recover from. The cough can last a long time, sometimes for several weeks.

How common is RS in young children (0-2 years)?

Almost all children under 2 years of age will experience a RSV infection at some point, but far from all will become seriously ill from the virus. However, children under 3 months of age, premature babies, children under 2 years of age with any congenital lung or heart disease, neurological disease or other immunodeficiency disease are at greater risk of becoming severely ill.

If your child is coughing and you suspect RS, what should you do?

The first step is to do what you can to help your child with the cough and any other problems such as fever, nasal congestion and perhaps even breathing difficulties in the very young. Then you can use these tricks:

• Raise the head end of the bed, it makes breathing easier
• Offer plenty of fluids (be persistent!)
• Give saline solution to flush the nose (available at the pharmacy)
• Offer food and drink in small portions but regularly, preferably a little at a time

You can also give antipyretics if needed, but if your child is under 6 months old, you should consult a doctor beforehand.

What to do if young children choke or need CPR? Here is a detailed guide on how to act.

When should you go in or contact the health services?

If your child seems to have difficulty breathing and/or difficulty breastfeeding/bottlefeeding and taking in other fluids, you as a parent should always contact the healthcare provider. This also applies if your child seems lethargic.

If you have a young child under 3 months of age who has developed a fever, has had difficulty breastfeeding/eating for a few days or has noticeable difficulty breathing, you should always seek emergency medical care!

How do I know if my child's breathing is affected?

Sometimes it can be difficult to tell, but you may notice this if your baby's breathing seems labored. Your baby's breathing is shallow and rapid, and there is a lot of abdominal movement when breathing in and out. It may also look labored to your child, and breathing may sound wheezy or wheezy. If you are unsure about how to help your sick child, you should always contact your healthcare provider.

Can you minimize the risk of your child becoming infected with RS?

After the pandemic, the last thing many parents want to do is isolate themselves, but the absolute best thing you can do is avoid large crowds if you want to reduce the risk of contracting RSV. This is especially true during the period of peak RSV transmission, which is usually November to March. Good hand hygiene is also important!

You can always follow the development of RS on the Public Health Agency's website where they update the RS situation, so you can be sure that you have the latest information. If you are at home with a newborn baby, you can consider being strict with the number of visitors and the best thing is that those who want to visit are completely healthy. If you have the opportunity, it is optimal to meet loved ones outdoors to minimize possible infection.

Call to 1177 to get help with advice and assessment if you are worried.