Latest news with #lunginfection
Daily Mail
05-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Health officials tell UK to brace for surge of virus that is the leading cause of death in newborns
Britons have been warned to brace themselves for an upsurge in cases of a deadly lung infection amid a global rise. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which can be deadly for young children and the elderly, flares up every autumn in the UK—just like the flu. But official surveillance data shows Australia has already logged a record number of cases this year. NHS chiefs believe the Australian winter is a good predictor of how viruses will spread in the UK. Spread by coughs and sneezes, it hospitalises around 30,000 children and 18,000 adults in the UK every year, due to serious breathing complications like pneumonia and lung infections. It said that the virus is a leading cause of death among babies. Around 20 to 30 children die from the virus each winter. It's also estimated to contribute to the deaths of 8,000 adults over the same period, due to the increased strain the infection puts on patient's hearts, causing the organ to fail. Officials have now urged pregnant women and those eligible to get the RSV vaccine. 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. '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.' Last week, data published by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) also showed the jab for pregnant women can prevent almost three quarters (72 per cent) of hospital admissions for their babies. The antibodies the mums produce in response to the jab are passed to their babies in the womb, protecting them for the first six months after being born. Meanwhile, the vaccine is 82 per cent effective at preventing hospital admissions for RSV among older adults, the UKHSA noted. Pregnant women can get the jab from 28 weeks of pregnancy onwards through their maternity services or GP surgery. Older adults aged 75-79 are also eligible for the jab and NHS England will start inviting people to come forward in the next few weeks. The NHS's jab rollout comes as part of its winter vaccine plans, which also includes Covid and flu vaccines. The lung condition spreads by large droplets and the virus can survive on surfaces for up to seven hours. Children remain infectious for up to three weeks, even after their symptoms have passed. Higher risk babies can receive the nirsevimab vaccine from September—with the single jab replacing five monthly injections previously given to infants classed as being at high risk.
The Independent
23-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
British holidaymaker in critical condition after catching Legionnaires' disease in Crete
A British tourist is in intensive care after catching a serious lung disease while on holiday in Greece. Donna Jobling from Hull was on an all-inclusive holiday on the Greek island of Crete when she fell ill on 6 June. Her condition continued to worsen over the next two days and she was admitted to hospital in Heraklion. The 57-year-old had caught Legionnaires ' disease, a lung infection you can get after inhaling droplets of water from things like air conditioning or hot tubs. A doctor told Ms Jobling's husband, Sid, that her lungs were quickly shutting down, then she was put into an induced coma. She and her husband had been travelling with easyJet holidays. "We're so sorry to hear that Ms Jobling is unwell, and we're continuing to support her and her family in every way we can," a spokesperson for the holiday provider said. While it is not confirmed that the hotel is the source of the infection, as a precaution customers were moved out and have been provided alternative hotel accommodation. Those planning to stay in the hotel over the next four weeks have also been given alternative options. As well as moving other customers out of the hotel, easyJet Holidays said it has been in touch with customers who have recently returned home from the hotel. "Our customers' safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we'll continue to do all we can to support them,' the spokesperson said. The hotel where Ms Jobling fell ill is currently working with local health authorities on the island. 'Donna has an abundance of loving family and friends who just want to get the chance to go over there to support her and Sid, who is currently there alone and has been for two weeks,' a GoFundMe fundraising page for Ms Jobling says. The fundraiser, organised by Ms Jobling's niece, has raised £510 out of an £1,200 target as of Monday morning. It added: 'We really don't know what the outcomes can be at this point, with very little good news from doctors. Anything will help at this hard time; we just need people there to support them.' Ms Jobling has been in the intensive care unit in critical condition since 11 June. The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said it is supporting the family and is in contact with the local authorities. After Ms Jobling was hospitalised, the Greek health ministry issued a statement to hoteliers in Crete to "raise awareness among all those involved in monitoring the quality of water for human consumption especially with regard to Legionella". The disease is uncommon, but it can be very serious. It is unclear what caused the infection, but you can usually contract the illness by inhaling tiny droplets of water containing bacteria. The disease tends to be caught in places like hotels, as well as hospitals and offices, where bacteria have got into the water supply. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain or discomfort, a high temperature and flu-like symptoms. An emergency alert has also been issued on the island by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control following the diagnosis.
Asharq Al-Awsat
24-02-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Vatican: Pope Francis Had a 'Good' Night in Hospital
Pope Francis, in critical condition battling double pneumonia, had a "good" night in hospital, slept and is resting, the Vatican said on Monday. The 88-year-old pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on February 14 after having trouble breathing for several days, and subsequently had pneumonia diagnosed in both lungs. The Vatican described his condition as critical for a second day on Sunday and that he had an "initial, slight insufficiency" in his kidney function that day. The prognosis for the pope, who required a transfusion of two units of blood on Saturday after experiencing a "prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis," remains "guarded", according to the latest medical update. "It was a good night, the pope slept and is resting," the Vatican said in a one-sentence update on Monday morning that did not provide further information. Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican has described the pope's infection as "complex," and that it was caused by two or more microorganisms. Francis, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health over the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.
