An outbreak of bronchiolitis, leads to the entry of large numbers of children on USP Sagrado Corazón.

Seville, January 2012- is understood as bronchiolitis the first episode of infection that affects the lower respiratory tract. The main Etiologic Agent is the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (its acronym in English is RSV), but other respiratory viruses may be involved in a 10-20% of cases. Usually this outbreak usually occurs between the months of November to March. This year his appearance has been delayed due to the delay of the low temperatures, starting his appearance in the second half of December and staying current with large numbers of affected children.

This disease largely affects young children, infants up to 2 years of age.

Respiratory syncytial virus is the most common cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the lower respiratory tract) in infants. It is a disease that often occur in annual epidemic outbreaks.

According to Dr. Dolores Gomez Bustos, the unity of neonatal critical care of USP Sagrado Corazón neonatologist, the RSV is transmitted by respiratory secretions or through direct contact with infected people or surfaces and objects contaminated by the same ”.

Infection can occur, continues the DRA. Gomez Bustos, when infected material comes into contact with the membranes of the eyes, mouth, or nose, and probably also through inhalation of particles generated by a sneeze or cough being the period of incubation of approximately four days ”.

Within the infant can find a group where the disease usually appears with more severity: under 2 months, preterm infants, congenital heart disease affected children; There is greater likelihood of income, increased number of complications as well as a longer hospital stay in these children ” explained the specialist, also warns that the RSV is a virus that may turn to occur, i.e., infants can be infected more than once, and that most often affects boys than girls ”.

The RSV infection can cause serious respiratory complications, which requires in some cases respiratory support and income in an intensive care unit. The RSV in infants can sometimes be the source of later episodes of bronchial reactivity.

The most common symptoms of respiratory syncytial virus, although each infant can experience them in a different way, explains Dr., are runny nose, apnea, apathy, fever, rejection of the shots, retractions (sinking) of the chest wall, rapid breathing, wheezing, cough. Importantly, alert the specialist, take into account that the symptoms of RSV are similar to the of any other respiratory pathology – infectious in the infant, such as influenza, catarrh, infection etc, so it is very important to see a pediatrician to assess them, perform adequate diagnosis and treatment. This similarity of the symptoms of RSV in other disorders, difficult times his diagnosis, so it would be appropriate to a study of respiratory secretions of the child for the detection of the virus.

There is no specific treatment to treat the RSV, will depend on their general condition, age, pathology of base, etc., says Dr. Gomez Bustos, antibiotics are not effective, treatment will try to alleviate the symptoms of the virus on the respiratory system, may be required input from oxygen, feeding by SNG – if the baby can not suck – swallow properly, bronchodilators to facilitate breathing and in cases of extreme gravity entry in intensive care with monitoring, ventilation, parenteral nutrition, etc.

There are some steps that parents can take to protect your baby from it, how to avoid contact with adults or children who are infected, do not expose them to locations closed with large populations, avoid tobacco smoke, or avoid removing them on the street very cold day, concludes Dr.

About USP hospital

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Madrid, USP hospital is the first hospital private group in the Spanish market. Currently, USP hospital boasts a network of 12 hospitals, 23 health centres and 4,000 doctors annually serving more than two million patients. In 2010 the company recorded 331.494 clinical stays, 118.931 surgery, 11.202 births and 424.511 er.