Contaminations by the RSV responsible for bronchiolitis in young children go back. According to Brigitte Virey, the president of the National Union of French Pediatricians, the peak of the epidemic should take place “towards the end of the week”.
- Acute bronchiolitis is a respiratory disease of viral origin that mainly affects children under 2 years of age during seasonal winter epidemics, according to Santé Publique France.
- The disease is mild in the majority of cases and nearly 90% of children will have developed bronchiolitis before they are two years old, according to Public Health France.
- However, it may require hospitalization, especially in infants.
Saturated pediatric services, babies transferred to hospitals located several tens, even hundreds, of kilometers from their homes… A particularly virulent bronchiolitis epidemic in children under two years old has hit France since the beginning of October. According to the union of liberal pediatricians, we will still need a little patience because this chaotic situation is not about to improve.
Bronchiolitis: “It’s going up, we expect the peak towards the end of the week”
“It’s going up, we expect the peak towards the end of the week”, specified Dr. Brigitte Virey, president of the National Union of French Pediatricians (SNPF). The doctor mentionsa substantial workload in the offices”, with an increase in consultation times to meet care needs.
The union fears that the epidemic will last. And it could become all the more tricky if it combines with other illnesses, such as gastroenteritis.
Resume barrier gestures to limit contamination
Systematic hand washing, wearing a mask when approaching a newborn, ventilation of the premises, limitation of frequentation of public places with a young child… “We must resume barrier measures, it is essential to protect babies”, insisted the pediatrician.
Same story for Professor Rémi Salomon of the Necker hospital in Paris, reminding that the situation is “extremely tense” in emergencies and pediatric wards: “Everything that can be done to avoid bronchiolitis should be done, it’s really super important!”
How do I recognize bronchiolitis in my child?
Infantile bronchiolitis is an acute and contagious viral infection that is transmitted by RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus. It causes inflammation of the walls of the small bronchi of the child (bronchioles) which is accompanied by significant secretions responsible for respiratory discomfort.
The illness begins with a fever and the classic symptoms of a cold. Gradually, a dry cough sets in, then a particularly significant sign appears: the dry cough is accompanied by rapid wheezing. Although the disease is most often mild, it can also lead to complications and more particularly in infants under two months of age who “may have a more severe form requiring hospitalization”, call health insurance.
Necker Hospital indicates on its site that the infection does not require you to go directly to the emergency room, but to consult your usual doctor first. “However, if your child has symptoms of bronchiolitis and one of the following symptoms, it is recommended that you go to the pediatric emergency room: infant under 3 months old with fever, infant at risk (very premature, carrier of a pulmonary or neuromuscular, heart defect, etc.), insufficient hydration (for several hours or less than half of the bottles taken over 12 hours), repeated vomiting (more than 4) despite attempts at rehydration, chronic illness, immunocompromised, sign of respiratory struggle, deterioration of general condition.”
