Rise in child respiratory illnesses in Surrey and North East Hampshire after lockdown

There has been an increase in respiratory illnesses in children this year - since Covid restrictions were lifted.

According to the Frimley Health and Care website, "the rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza is believed to be a result of children and babies born during lockdown having not built-up immunity against the germs they would usually pick up from playgroups, nursery and school."

Paediatrician Dr Patrick Aldridge from Frimley Park Hospital said they have noticed an increase among youngsters and infants of mild viral winter viruses in the summer - including diarrhoea and vomiting, wheeze, bronchiolitis and croup.

Dr Aldridge said lockdown measures meant with many children not mixing, far fewer fell ill than usual - impacting on their ability to build immunity: "It is very normal for kids to get coughs and colds, the problem is none of them got them last year, so we're getting double the numbers this year, double the work - it's just nature playing catch up."

He said numbers could rise further now that children are back at school: "What we think is going to happen is that over the coming months there's going to be an increasing number of children getting these common coughs and colds, and one of the issues is that there's a whole cohort of parents who's children have not fallen ill."

He said this has put pressure on the NHS because parents are worried their child may have COVID-19.

But he issued the reassurance that "most viral illnesses typically clear up within seven days, without the need for medical support.

"For most children, treatment with paracetamol and/or ibuprofen, with sugary fluids when they’re not eating, are usually enough to help.

"I would encourage parents to access the NHS Frimley Healthier Together website for up-to-date advice”.

The website uses a traffic light system for symptoms: red for the emergency department, amber for GP and green for self care - find it here.

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• nhs frimley health foundation trust
• frimley park hospital