The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that babies will be vaccinated for free against the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) starting from October 1.
From this date, “immunization against RSV infection will be available free of charge in all public, private, and social sector maternity hospitals for children born between October 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025; and in NHS health institutions for children born between August 1, 2024, and September 30, 2024, as well as children with defined risk factors.”
But what exactly is this virus?
On the National Health Service (SNS) website, experts explain that this is a virus that can cause respiratory illness in people of all ages, but generally, “all children up to two years old are infected by this virus, with reinfection possible at any age.” This virus is the most common cause “of lower respiratory tract disease up to 12 months of age.”
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary with several factors, such as age or health status of the person, and generally decrease in severity after the third infection. The most common symptoms are:
– Nasal and eye secretions
– Cough
– Wheezing
– Fever
– Difficulty breathing
– Whistling-like breathing
From diagnosis to the most propitious time of year
The SNS points out that, in most situations, laboratory identification of this virus is not necessary, as the established therapy does not change. “The diagnosis is made through the collection of respiratory secretions such as nasal or bronchial secretions,” the website states.
Typically, in Portugal, most outbreaks occur in the winter months (January and December), but they can also occur as early as October and extend until May.
“The measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as mask use, social distancing, or the closure of nurseries/schools, contributed to the decrease in transmission during that period, with a return to transmission outside the usual periods,” they warn.
What about contagion?
The respiratory syncytial virus is transmitted through “the introduction of the virus through the nose, eyes, or mouth after contact with secretions or objects containing the viruses” and is “very contagious.” The virus can survive on hands and contaminated objects for hours, and transmission is “very common” between siblings.
The incubation period varies between two and eight days.
But… how to prevent it?
Like other viruses, prevention is based on measures such as hand washing, respiratory etiquette (covering mouth/nose with a tissue or arm when sneezing or coughing, not sneezing/coughing into hands, washing hands after coughing/sneezing) and also avoiding exposure to tobacco or other smoke.
