Amid HMPV buzz, doctors in Kolkata warn RSV may be more dangerous for kids, ET HealthWorld
Kolkata: While Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is being much talked about, doctors are seeing a good number of children requiring hospital care for those affected with RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), another virus that affects children mostly in winter. While the kids are recuperating with general management in most cases, a few are needing intensive care.
In addition to RSV, children are also affected by viruses like adenovirus, influenza, enterovirus and rhinovirus. However, doctors mentioned that the number of viral infections so far was less compared to the previous few years.
“More than HMPV, we are getting cases of RSV where around three out of 10 affected children are needing hospital care, with a few needing oxygen support. Currently, I am treating 7-8 children with respiratory infections, including two infants affected by RSV pneumonia and two children by bacterial pneumonia, but none by HMPV. Therefore, HMPV is not of concern so far, but other viruses like RSV are,” said Sumita Saha, consultant paediatrics and neonatologist, Fortis Hospital Anandapur. Saha added that the children requiring hospital admission are mostly below one year of age and were born premature.
Prabhas Prasun Giri, professor of paediatrics at the Institute of Child Health, Kolkata, said that RSV can cause more severe illness in children than HMPV. In fact, the PICU at the Park Circus hospital has been treating children with other viruses like rhino, adeno, and entero, but it has not got any HMPV cases so far. “RSV generally is riskier for children than HMPV. Two weeks ago, we came across a good number of children infected with RSV. But overall, we are getting a lesser number of respiratory viral infections this year so far,” said Giri.
“From Dec, we have detected three RSV cases against two HMPV. The number of other viruses like rhino/enterovirus detected is higher during this period, where we got 16 positive cases, five each of Influenza B and Parainfluenza. Most samples pertained to children,” said microbiologists Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhuri of Peerless Hospital.
