Latest news with #bronchiolitis
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NHS issues vaccination warning for pregnant women over dangerous virus currently surging in Australia
Expectant mothers and people over 75 are being urged to get vaccinated against a potentially deadly virus following a record number of cases in Australia. Health chiefs say the Australian winter often predicts how viruses will spread in the UK, and already this year cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have steadily risen in many areas. The virus, which is a common cause of coughs and colds, may also cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis. Some people have a high risk of becoming seriously ill with it, including babies and adults over 75. According to NHS England, RSV is a leading cause of infant deaths worldwide and a main cause of children being taken into hospital. Last winter, almost 7,000 bed days in England were taken up by children with RSV. NHS England is encouraging pregnant women to get a jab that protects against RSV so their babies are protected after birth. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Yusra Osman says that when her son, Zakariya, was three months old, he developed bronchiolitis from the virus. He had a fever and was gasping for breath. The 34-year-old, from north London, said: 'Everything was a blur, but I remember his chest was caving in and out and he was really struggling to catch his breath.' Nurses found her son's oxygen levels were dangerously low. Ms Osman, a student midwife, said: 'That was one of those things you don't want to hear as a mum. He was crying, and we kept trying to put an oxygen mask on, but he was fighting to get it off and didn't want to be touched.' Zakariya, who is now seven, needed oxygen and a feeding tube in hospital. 'It's a mum's worst nightmare. Had the RSV vaccine been available then, I'd definitely have had it,' Ms Osman said. The RSV vaccine was offered to pregnant women in England for the first time last September and health officials say it has since helped to protect more than 300,000 mothers and babies. Pregnant mothers from 28 weeks onwards are eligible, as are adults aged 75 to 79. In the coming weeks, NHS England is set to invite more than a million people to have a jab, before the season for infections, which starts in October. Greta Hayward, consultant midwife at the UK Health Security Agency, said babies born in late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus. 'Hundreds of babies attend emergency departments each day for bronchiolitis through most of November and December,' she said.
The Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
NHS issues vaccination warning for pregnant women over dangerous virus currently surging in Australia
Expectant mothers and people over 75 are being urged to get vaccinated against a potentially deadly virus following a record number of cases in Australia. Health chiefs say the Australian winter often predicts how viruses will spread in the UK, and already this year cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have steadily risen in many areas. The virus, which is a common cause of coughs and colds, may also cause a chest infection called bronchiolitis. Some people have a high risk of becoming seriously ill with it, including babies and adults over 75. According to NHS England, RSV is a leading cause of infant deaths worldwide and a main cause of children being taken into hospital. Last winter, almost 7,000 bed days in England were taken up by children with RSV. NHS England is encouraging pregnant women to get a jab that protects against RSV so their babies are protected after birth. Kate Brintworth, chief midwifery officer for NHS England, said: 'While for most adults RSV only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, for older adults and young children it can lead to serious breathing problems that can end up in hospitalisation. 'Getting vaccinated while pregnant is the best way to protect your baby from the moment they are born, and now is the time for mums to act, to make sure their babies are protected ahead of their first few months this winter, when there tends to be more bugs circulating.' Yusra Osman says that when her son, Zakariya, was three months old, he developed bronchiolitis from the virus. He had a fever and was gasping for breath. The 34-year-old, from north London, said: 'Everything was a blur, but I remember his chest was caving in and out and he was really struggling to catch his breath.' Nurses found her son's oxygen levels were dangerously low. Ms Osman, a student midwife, said: 'That was one of those things you don't want to hear as a mum. He was crying, and we kept trying to put an oxygen mask on, but he was fighting to get it off and didn't want to be touched.' Zakariya, who is now seven, needed oxygen and a feeding tube in hospital. 'It's a mum's worst nightmare. Had the RSV vaccine been available then, I'd definitely have had it,' Ms Osman said. The RSV vaccine was offered to pregnant women in England for the first time last September and health officials say it has since helped to protect more than 300,000 mothers and babies. Pregnant mothers from 28 weeks onwards are eligible, as are adults aged 75 to 79. In the coming weeks, NHS England is set to invite more than a million people to have a jab, before the season for infections, which starts in October. Greta Hayward, consultant midwife at the UK Health Security Agency, said babies born in late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus. 'Hundreds of babies attend emergency departments each day for bronchiolitis through most of November and December,' she said.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Premature babies to be immunised against winter virus
Thousands of premature babies in the UK can now be protected against a common winter virus which can cause a dangerous lung infection, and sometimes kill. The injection will provide them "with a protective bubble" against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in time for the colder months, NHS medics said. Most babies are protected via vaccination late in pregnancy, but babies born before 32 weeks are more vulnerable to life-threatening infections from the virus. From late September, 9,000 babies and young children at risk across the UK will be offered a dose of the drug nirsevimab through the NHS. RSV usually causes coughs and colds, but can make some children very ill with breathing problems, pneumonia and a lung infection called bronchiolitis. According to NHS England, premature babies are three times more likely to go to hospital with RSV and are 10 times more likely to need intensive care compared with full-term babies. Every year around 30,000 children in the UK aged under five need hospital care because of the virus, and around 30 don't survive. The drug offers six months' protection in a single dose, and is more than 80% effective. Neo-natal clinics will deliver the injection to premature babies. Families of vulnerable infants with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems will be advised by their medical teams how to get the jab before this winter. "It will offer a long-lasting defence, helping to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and serious illness, giving babies the best possible start in life and shielding them from harm," said Dr Claire Fuller, co-national medical director for NHS England. Ill baby's mum urges pregnant women to get RSV jab RSV jab could cut baby hospitalisations by 80% - study Last year, a vaccination programme was launched in the UK to protect newborn babies and older people from RSV. Women who are at least 28 weeks' pregnant and people aged 75 to 79 are now offered that vaccine, called abrysvo. The jab boosts a woman's immune system during pregnancy and protects babies in their first weeks of life. But babies born prematurely, before 32 weeks, don't have time to build up protection from that vaccine before they're born. They will be given nirsevimab instead. Unlike a vaccine, which prompts the body to create antibodies and takes a few weeks to be effective, nirsevimab gives immediate protection from RSV infection. Ceri Cox, 33, wanted her son, Harry, aged two, to be protected as much as possible against RSV. As a paediatric nurse, she has seen the damage it can do. "I know quite a bit about the virus from working in a unit where we see a lot of children with RSV every year," she said. "It's amazing that this immunisation will now be offered to young babies around the country. I hope we will see fewer little ones in our hospital this winter." Harry took part in an international clinical trial of the immunisation at University Hospital Southampton. Premature babies and high-risk infants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from the drug. What are the symptoms of RSV? They usually start within a few days of being infected. Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as: a runny or blocked nose a cough sneezing tiredness a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills) Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual. If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause: a cough that gets worse shortness of breath faster breathing or long gaps between breaths difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite noisy breathing (wheezing) confusion (in older adults) Source: NHS UK website RSV jabs start for pregnant women and older people Antibody jab approved for common winter virus RSV Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Premature babies to be immunised against winter virus
Thousands of premature babies in the UK can now be protected against a common winter virus which can cause a dangerous lung infection, and sometimes kill. The injection will provide them "with a protective bubble" against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in time for the colder months, NHS medics said. Most babies are protected via vaccination late in pregnancy, but babies born before 32 weeks are more vulnerable to life-threatening infections from the virus. From late September, 9,000 babies and young children at risk across the UK will be offered a dose of the drug nirsevimab through the NHS. RSV usually causes coughs and colds, but can make some children very ill with breathing problems, pneumonia and a lung infection called bronchiolitis. According to NHS England, premature babies are three times more likely to go to hospital with RSV and are 10 times more likely to need intensive care compared with full-term babies. Every year around 30,000 children in the UK aged under five need hospital care because of the virus, and around 30 don't survive. The drug offers six months' protection in a single dose, and is more than 80% effective. Neo-natal clinics will deliver the injection to premature babies. Families of vulnerable infants with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems will be advised by their medical teams how to get the jab before this winter. "It will offer a long-lasting defence, helping to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and serious illness, giving babies the best possible start in life and shielding them from harm," said Dr Claire Fuller, co-national medical director for NHS England. Ill baby's mum urges pregnant women to get RSV jab RSV jab could cut baby hospitalisations by 80% - study Last year, a vaccination programme was launched in the UK to protect newborn babies and older people from RSV. Women who are at least 28 weeks' pregnant and people aged 75 to 79 are now offered that vaccine, called abrysvo. The jab boosts a woman's immune system during pregnancy and protects babies in their first weeks of life. But babies born prematurely, before 32 weeks, don't have time to build up protection from that vaccine before they're born. They will be given nirsevimab instead. Unlike a vaccine, which prompts the body to create antibodies and takes a few weeks to be effective, nirsevimab gives immediate protection from RSV infection. Ceri Cox, 33, wanted her son, Harry, aged two, to be protected as much as possible against RSV. As a paediatric nurse, she has seen the damage it can do. "I know quite a bit about the virus from working in a unit where we see a lot of children with RSV every year," she said. "It's amazing that this immunisation will now be offered to young babies around the country. I hope we will see fewer little ones in our hospital this winter." Harry took part in an international clinical trial of the immunisation at University Hospital Southampton. Premature babies and high-risk infants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from the drug. What are the symptoms of RSV? They usually start within a few days of being infected. Most people only get cold-like symptoms, such as: a runny or blocked nose a cough sneezing tiredness a high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills) Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than usual. If RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause: a cough that gets worse shortness of breath faster breathing or long gaps between breaths difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite noisy breathing (wheezing) confusion (in older adults) Source: NHS UK website RSV jabs start for pregnant women and older people Antibody jab approved for common winter virus RSV
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Premature babies in UK to be immunised against winter virus RSV
Thousands of premature babies in the UK can now be protected against a common winter virus which can cause a dangerous lung infection, and sometimes injection will provide them "with a protective bubble" against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) in time for the colder months, NHS medics babies are protected via vaccination late in pregnancy, but babies born before 32 weeks are more vulnerable to life-threatening infections from the late September, 9,000 babies and young children at risk across the UK will be offered a dose of the drug nirsevimab through the NHS. RSV usually causes coughs and colds, but can make some children very ill with breathing problems, pneumonia and a lung infection called to NHS England, premature babies are three times more likely to go to hospital with RSV and are 10 times more likely to need intensive care compared with full-term year around 30,000 children in the UK aged under five need hospital care because of the virus, and around 30 don't drug offers six months' protection in a single dose, and is more than 80% clinics will deliver the injection to premature babies. Families of vulnerable infants with heart or lung conditions or weakened immune systems will be advised by their medical teams how to get the jab before this winter."It will offer a long-lasting defence, helping to avoid unnecessary hospitalisations and serious illness, giving babies the best possible start in life and shielding them from harm," said Dr Claire Fuller, co-national medical director for NHS England. Last year, a vaccination programme was launched in the UK to protect newborn babies and older people from RSV. Women who are at least 28 weeks' pregnant and people aged 75 to 79 are now offered that vaccine, called jab boosts a woman's immune system during pregnancy and protects babies in their first weeks of babies born prematurely, before 32 weeks, don't have time to build up protection from that vaccine before they're will be given nirsevimab a vaccine, which prompts the body to create antibodies and takes a few weeks to be effective, nirsevimab gives immediate protection from RSV infection. Ceri Cox, 33, wanted her son, Harry, aged two, to be protected as much as possible against RSV. As a paediatric nurse, she has seen the damage it can do."I know quite a bit about the virus from working in a unit where we see a lot of children with RSV every year," she said. "It's amazing that this immunisation will now be offered to young babies around the country. I hope we will see fewer little ones in our hospital this winter."Harry took part in an international clinical trial of the immunisation at University Hospital Southampton. Premature babies and high-risk infants in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will benefit from the drug. What are the symptoms of RSV? They usually start within a few days of being people only get cold-like symptoms, such as:a runny or blocked nosea coughsneezingtirednessa high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)Babies with RSV may also be irritable and feed less than RSV leads to a more serious infection (such as pneumonia or bronchiolitis) it may also cause:a cough that gets worseshortness of breathfaster breathing or long gaps between breathsdifficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetitenoisy breathing (wheezing)confusion (in older adults)Source: NHS UK website
