PUBLICATION DATE:
The British Hospital launched a campaign aimed at caring for children
AAA-CHOO! Respiratory diseases
TAKING ACTION
The arrival of the first cold of the year causes more diseases to circulate. The team of Paediatricians at the British Hospital, accompanying their patients, urge parents to take as many measures as possible to prevent the complications that accompany respiratory infections in the little ones.
Overlapping with the arrival of the first cold weather and as part of its health prevention policy, the British Hospital launched a campaign aimed at preventing acute respiratory diseases in the youngest members of the family.
Acute respiratory diseases are the most frequent cause of consultation in the early years of childhood and they are of great importance due to their easy transmission and their clinical involvement in infants and young children.
The most frequent acute respiratory diseases are respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, Covid 19 and whooping cough.
All of them are transmitted through contact with the secretions of people with the infection, either directly or through the spread of "droplets" that are released by sneezing or coughing.
Its high contagiousness led the British Hospital to launch a campaign that would respond to the need to raise awareness and educate to protect those who are the most at risk of complications and then named AAA-CHOO!
In brochures, banners and within the framework of the medical consultations themselves, the British Hospital informs its members and users that there are a series of measures for the prevention of acute respiratory diseases that are easy to adopt by the family and of responsible adults.
HYGIENIC MEASURES:
· Wash your hands before contact with infants and children, after coughing or sneezing.
· Cough or sneeze into a disposable handkerchief, or into the crook of your elbow.
· Dispose of the used handkerchief in an appropriate place.
· Thoroughly clean commonly used toys, and avoid using those that have been touched by other sick minors.
· Wash bottles well.
· Ventilate the environments daily.
· Use of masks and distancing in places with crowds.
AVOID CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTS
· Public crowds, children's parties, closed environments.
· Exposure to tobacco smoke.
· Stay away from babies if you have respiratory symptoms such as cold, cough or fever, or wear a mask.
· Avoid preschool siblings attending kindergarten during the period of maximum viral circulation.
GENERAL MEASURES:
Seek to promote breastfeeding
VACCINES AND TREATMENTS:
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV): Medication (humanized monoclonal antibodies) is available to protect against RSV, which is indicated only for high-risk infants (severe premature infants, complex congenital heart disease, severe pulmonary dysplasia) in order to reduce the possibility of becoming ill severely and manages to increase the defences against the virus.
Influenza virus: it is recommended to vaccinate from 6 months of age to 5 years. It is suggested to vaccinate children, adolescents and adults living with or caring for infants under 6 months of age who, due to their young age, cannot receive the flu vaccine. All pregnant women, regardless of their gestational age.
Acute respiratory diseases are the most frequent cause of consultation.
All puerperal women up to 6 months after delivery.
Sars-Cov-2 virus: Vaccination against Covid-19 is recommended both for pregnant women at any time during pregnancy and for breastfeeding mothers.
It is recommended for children over 5 years of age who live with small siblings and caregivers.
Whooping cough: to prevent whooping cough there is a vaccine that is administered repeatedly from 2 months of life and up to 12 years of age.
Pregnant women after 28 weeks of pregnancy should receive the vaccine that protects against whooping cough (DPaT included in the triple bacterial with acellular pertussis).