Not only children: due to the drop in temperature in Italy, the rise of respiratory viruses
The transition from a permanent summer to autumn climate occurred suddenly with a significant drop in temperature before the middle season of this year.
As the doctors explained, this noticeable temperature change prefers spread of all respiratory viruses especially flu-like ones, for them 150,000 events are expected per week. Without prejudice to the real flu and Covid, after the increase in infections in August, it is believed that it is possible to wake up again thanks to the options.
Meanwhile Syncytial virus is a concern among young children and newborns in some cases it can cause brochiolitis and pneumonia, even with fatal outcome. In 2023, it caused 15,000 hospitalizations, of which 3,000 were in intensive care and 16 deaths. Now a a new preventive medicine a chance to mark a turning point has arrived.
Nirsevimab, a life-saving treatment
The virus mainly affects newborns in the first six months of life and can be fatal. We can hope to fight the virus from this year monoclonal antibody Nirsevimab, which has proven its effectiveness 90% reduction in hospital admissions. The drug acts for a long time, in single dose and fixed dose suitable for all newborns or children prevention from respiratory diseases syncytial virus This it spreads easily with coughing, sneezing and squeezing physical contact like hugging and kissing it can live on hard surfaces for several hours such as toys, beds and cutlery, and can be transmitted to children who put their hands on their faces after touching a contaminated object.
Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody a fast and direct defense against disease e does not require activation of the immune system as in vaccines. Administration can be performed by pediatricians with free choice, equivalent to general practice in pediatrics, or in vaccination centers.
Antibronchiolitis monoclonal is free in all regions
Taking into account the increase in the incidence of syncytial virus infection in the child population, the Ministry of Health has started to establish contact with the Italian Medicines Agency Aifa. available in all regions Nirsevimab of our country, Paid for by the National Health Service therefore without the cost to the citizens.
Year Veneto to leave From October 2024 For the season of 2024-2025, it is planned to start a passive immunization campaign against syncytial virus for newborns in the Region. consists of a proposalMonoclonal antibody for children born between October 2024 and March 2025 and to those born Between January and September 2024 Starting in October 2024, it will experience the first circulation season of the virus. For uniform and equitable distribution of Nirsevimab throughout the territory, ULSS companies will also involve accredited private birth centers that directly provide doses of the monoclonal. , without additional fees from the companies themselves.
L’Participation in the campaign is voluntary and each Healthcare Company will need to determine internal organizational methods to provide adequate information to parents on prophylaxis to obtain informed consent for the administration of monoclonal. Following the regional Memorandum of Understanding for the participation of Free Choice Pediatricians in the campaign, it was determined that they would be entitled to compensation for each administration.
What is syncytial virus?
This is ainflammation of the small airways of the lungs The number of children and according to the Istituto Superiore della Sanità is “the first single cause of acute respiratory infections of the lower respiratory tract in children in the world”.
By the age of two, almost everyone signs a contract with him. But in different ones form, come on softercon colds and ear infectionsup to more seriouslycome on bronchitis or pneumonia.
A virus does transmitted by air and there they are four to six days of incubation before the disease manifests itself. The symptoms that appear are usually similar cold but in some cases it can occur in children younger than 3 years dry cough accompanying a snoring. This is where the virus comes in to identify often bronchiolitis or bronchopneumonia it can degenerate to the point of death.