Babies going to hospital with flashing blue lights

Ulrike Brennan had never seen anything like this in her long career as a pediatrician: “We already work at the pediatrician’s home seven days a week, and yet we’re reaching our limits with a lot of sick babies.” Children’s clinics and hospitals across the country are at their limits. Because this year respiratory syncytial virus, RSV for short, is atypically common.

With the onset of the cold season, RSV waves can be observed regularly. Due to the corona measures, there have been almost no infections in the last two years. But now the number of cases is skyrocketing.

The virus is transmitted through droplets when you sneeze or cough and affect the respiratory tract. Symptoms are similar to the common cold: runny nose, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing and fever. RSV is dangerous for young children. While most people recover within a week, the risk of developing serious illness is much higher in infants—especially premature infants, infants with heart or lung disease, or a weakened immune system.

risk of shortness of breath

Brennan, Pediatrician: “In infants, respiratory infections lead to nasal congestion, coughing and eventually shortness of breath. You can’t drink well either. Depending on the intensity, a baby can endure this for a relatively long time, but if it ends at some point then it needs to be done quickly.”

So fast that in just one week, five babies had to be transported from a pediatrician’s home practice to the hospital with blue lights.

The children’s hospital in Zurich currently has 30 beds filled with children and infants who have difficulty breathing. Last week, several children had to be flown from Zurich to Chur GR, others to Freiburg and Biel BE.

According to experts, the situation is already tense, although the crest of the wave is probably not yet reached.

avoid the crowd

Brennan recommends simple precautionary measures: “Parents with young babies and their older siblings should avoid children’s birthday parties, theater performances or the like at this time.” As with Corona, many children are currently infected in day care centers and therefore carry the virus to their families.

This can be fatal for the very young: “Coughing children and non-family adults should not come near small babies at this time,” says the pediatrician.

Meanwhile, hospitals and pediatric practices demand patience. According to the Zurich Children’s Hospital, basic pediatric care is still guaranteed.

Only in an emergency

Brennan also asks her to stay calm. “It doesn’t help if families run to the nearest emergency room at the slightest cough. For really bad cases, they have to join forces. If parents are worried, it’s best to contact their pediatrician directly.”

So far, there is no generally accessible prophylaxis against the RS virus. However, extremely sick babies born prematurely or babies with heart disease can be protected with monthly antibody vaccines during the winter months.