A wave of childhood respiratory illnesses is raising concerns in the US

It caught everyone because it came initial. There is always a spike in late fall and early winter as temperatures drop and people crowd indoors. Respiratory diseases In America.

But winter is far away and autumn has begun. However, hospitals across the country have indicated that they have seen one A substantial increase With the number of acute respiratory infections, especially in young children, some children’s hospitals fear they may not have enough capacity to treat everyone.

Although not the only one, the most frequently diagnosed virus is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which usually presents with similar symptoms. fever In adults, however, it can occur Pneumonia Y Bronchitis In young children.

There has been an unusual occurrence since last year. The RSV virus begins to circulate earlier in the year, even in late summer in the Northern Hemisphere, rather than at the peak of flu season in early winter.

In various parts of the country, Children’s hospitals are reportedly operating at full capacity due to the virus. For example, in the Washington metropolitan area, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Johns Hopkins in Maryland City officially announced capacity not seen after strong spikes in COVID-19. In Connecticut, Hartford Children’s Hospital has had no empty inpatient beds for more than three weeks. In Texas, Fort Worth Children’s Hospital reported treating an average of 300 cases per day.

“Last year we had even more people wearing masks, and parents kept their children at home if they were sick. This year, for the first time in two years since the pandemic, parents are sending their children to day care centers and schools. Children who have never been exposed to a respiratory virus before become ill“, Dr. Laura Romano from Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth explained to the press.

Since there is no indication that cases are going to decrease, the National Pediatric Association has already asked FEMA (the federal agency that coordinates aid during emergencies) to prepare a contingency plan with medical tents (as used in disaster areas). Capacity of hospitals.

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), children under the age of 5 are most susceptible to RSV. According to statistics, 58,000 children are hospitalized a year due to this virus, and this year the number is expected to be higher.

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