Severe common cold cases increasing among young children may be pegged to COVID-19 lockdowns

As the children have gone. back to school Over the past few weeks, doctors have seen an increase in severe cases of the common cold in some children caused by two of the most common viruses that cause upper respiratory infections: rhinoviruses and enteroviruses.

That’s according to a recent report out of Chicago — though the situation isn’t limited to that area.

These viruses usually only cause mild upper respiratory symptoms in healthy adults.

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However, “we have generally seen a large number of young children and infants suffering from respiratory diseases. [see] In the summer — and more children with severe illness require hospital and ICU admissions,” Dr. Cesar Anthony Lim, director of pediatric emergency medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel in New York City, told Fox News Digital.

“Interestingly, we had a variety of viruses,” said the Yorkville, Ill. Dr. Natalie Lambajian-Drummond recently told CBS Chicago, adding that they even had to admit one child by ambulance.

Although it’s possible to catch a cold any time of year, most colds occur during the winter and spring, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Common respiratory viruses

Many respiratory viruses can cause the common cold, but rhinoviruses are the most common, the CDC said.

Although there are many types of enterovirus, most cause only mild illness, according to the Cedars-Sinai website.

Another respiratory virus that causes common cold symptoms is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but it can cause serious illness in infants.

These viruses are most commonly found in the summer and fall, causing the “summer flu,” but can cause other illnesses, such as what is known as hand, foot, and mouth disease. Itching.

The website added that they mostly affect children because most adults have developed immunity to them.

Another respiratory virus that causes common cold symptoms is respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but it can cause serious illness in infants.

“Historically, the respiratory syncytial virus season started in mid-to-late fall and would extend into early spring,” said Dr. Mike Smith, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Duke University School of Medicine.

“RSV can cause bronchiolitis — inflammation of the small airways — and breathing problems that require hospitalization in babies in the first year of life.”

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He told Fox News Digital that the RSV season has already started this year in some parts of the country.

“Infants at higher risk of severe disease after RSV include those who were born prematurely (<29 weeks' gestational age) or have chronic lung disease, certain types of congenital heart disease," he added. , certain neurological diseases and immunosuppression," he added.

He also reminded people that influenza, commonly called “the flu,” is another common respiratory virus that comes around every year. “Flu shots are now available for everyone 6 months and older, so it’s important to protect them,” she said.

Common cold symptoms

The CDC adds that the first symptoms of the common cold include a sore throat and runny nose, followed by coughing and sneezing.

Other symptoms may include headaches and body aches.

But most people get better in a week to 10 days, according to the CDC.

“Omicron is associated with more upper respiratory symptoms than previous variants,” said Dr. Mark SiegelFox News contributor and professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center.

Segal told Fox News Digital that this makes it difficult to distinguish Omicron from other upper respiratory infections, such as rhinovirus, RSV and enteroviruses — especially in young children.

“In fact, when the masks came off and kids started interacting more, we started seeing more of those infections outside of the season. [over the summer]some mild, some more severe,” he said.

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That would make it more likely now that other respiratory viruses are causing common cold symptoms than a couple of years ago — when many health care professionals called it “a sore throat, every bone.” were associated with infection, Every cough with COVID,” Segal added.

Common cold and COVID-19 restrictions

Traditionally, people who get severe illness, such as pneumonia, are those with “weakened immune systems, asthma or respiratory illnesses,” the CDC said.

But some young children’s immune systems have not developed immunity to the common cold due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

So when young children are infected with certain respiratory viruses from the common cold, some may develop more severe infections. “I would say the under-5s are kind of the group to watch,” Lambajian-Drummond warned on CBS.

“A lot of young kids we’re seeing are taking much more rigorous courses when they get this virus.”

Due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, some young children’s immune systems have not developed immunity to the common cold.

“There could be several explanations for this increase, including COVID-19, enterovirus D68 and reduced innate immunity,” added Lim, associate professor of emergency medicine, pediatrics and medical education at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine. He is also a professor.

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“Although COVID-19 in children usually presents as a mild illness, a very small number of children develop severe disease – including only 7% of children under 5 years of age who are vaccinated and As schools move toward mask optionality, this group becomes particularly susceptible.”

She also told Fox News Digital that limited opportunities for in-person childcare and school reduced the risk of common diseases that can develop in young children with innate immunity.

Epidemic diseases

Millions of Americans get the common cold every year, with adults getting an average of 2-3 colds a year. But according to the CDC, children typically have more infections.

“The common cold is the number one reason children miss school and adults miss work,” the CDC says on its website.

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There is no cure for the common cold, so symptomatic treatment is recommended, according to the CDC.

Prevention is key.

To reduce your chances of catching a cold, the CDC recommends these simple tips: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid contact with sick people. And don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.

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If you or your children have cold symptoms, the agency also recommends calling your doctor for the following reasons: Symptoms that last more than 10 days Unusual or severe symptoms, such as a fever or your child is lethargic. Your baby is less than 3 months old.