The Costa Rican Ministry of Health warned of an increase in the cases of respiratory syncytial virus which affects mainly young children; currently, health authorities have registered 121 minors hospitalized, 30 of them in very delicate condition, some that require the assistance of a machine to breath.
The health authorities called on parents to keep small children especially newborns and babies under one year of age at home, avoid taking them to places where there are large crowds or where other children or adults are suffering from respiratory infections and could be exposed to the virus.
Children older than a year old but who have risk factors such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems should also take preventive measures and avoid crowds.
The respiratory syncytial virus causes cold like symptoms in children 5 and older, but in children under 5 years of age and specially those under 1 year old it can cause difficulty to breath, wheezing, and in some cases a bluish coloration around the mouth or difficulty to breastfeed.
The Ministry of Health recommends:
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water
• Avoid smoking
• Don’t take your children to crowded places
• Cover your mouth properly when sneezing
• Keep vaccinations up to date
The health authorities called on parents to keep small children especially newborns and babies under one year of age at home, avoid taking them to places where there are large crowds or where other children or adults are suffering from respiratory infections and could be exposed to the virus.
Children older than a year old but who have risk factors such as asthma, diabetes or heart problems should also take preventive measures and avoid crowds.
The respiratory syncytial virus causes cold like symptoms in children 5 and older, but in children under 5 years of age and specially those under 1 year old it can cause difficulty to breath, wheezing, and in some cases a bluish coloration around the mouth or difficulty to breastfeed.
The Ministry of Health recommends:
• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water
• Avoid smoking
• Don’t take your children to crowded places
• Cover your mouth properly when sneezing
• Keep vaccinations up to date
