Bronchiolitis is a highly contagious viral disease. According to the members of the French Society of Pediatrics, the protection of the youngest requires the limitation of contact with adults.
- Generally, 30% of children under the age of two contract bronchiolitis each year in France.
- In 2020, there were few cases of bronchiolitis due to Covid-19 and associated measures (barrier gestures, confinement, etc.).
- The epidemic generated a decrease in acquired herd immunity for children born after March 2020.
Eleven out of thirteen regions are affected by the bronchiolitis epidemic in France. Between October 18 and 24, more than 3,300 children under the age of two went to the emergency room because of this pathology. Faced with these figures, which have been increasing in recent weeks, the French Society of Pediatrics issues a series of recommendations to limit contamination. “Young parents can effectively limit the risk of viral infection in the youngest by applying a few simple measures during the first months of life, right out of the maternity ward.indicates the document.
Limit contacts
The first piece of advice from these early childhood experts is to limit contact. It is essential to restrict visits “to the circle of adults who are very close and not sick“. The Doctors also advise against visits by young children before the baby is three months old. All family gatherings and frequenting public places, such as restaurants or public transport, should be avoided as much as possible before three months. Similarly, these doctors advise against having your child cared for in the community before this age, and in the event that this is impossible, not to entrust him to a crèche or other type of childcare when he presents symptoms.
As for Covid-19, the application of barrier gestures is recommended. Thus, do not give kisses to children under two years of age, nor pass them from arm to arm. Hand washing with soap and water or by applying hydroalcoholic gel is also important, as is wearing a mask in the event of a cough, cold or fever.
What is bronchiolitis?
Bronchiolitis is an acute respiratory viral infection that affects the bronchioles, i.e. the small bronchi. It is usually caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which causes inflammation of the walls of the bronchioles and an increase in secretions. The main symptoms are cough, fever, obstruction of the nose and sometimes even difficulty breathing. The treatment is mainly based on the clearing of the nose. “Bronchiolitis is most often a mild illness, specifies theHealth Insurance. However, very young children and more particularly infants under 2 months of age may present with a more serious form requiring hospitalization..”
How to act in case of symptoms?
The French pediatric society explains how to react when a child shows symptoms of bronchiolitis. Only infants under two months should be taken to the emergency room. “It is more often recommended to hospitalize them for a few hours or a few days for monitoring and treatment of symptoms. say pediatricians. For the others, you must consult the pediatrician or the general practitioner, unless there are signs of seriousness: change in behavior, soft child, food intake of less than half of the usual rations over 3 consecutive meals, very rapid breathing or very slow or irregular or bluish discoloration of the lips or extremities. These health professionals call on parents to be patient while waiting for the disappearance of symptoms, so as not to multiply medical consultations. The illness lasts an average of ten days.
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