RSV Spreads During the Rainy Season — Over 1,600 Infected; Young Children at High Risk

On July 21, 2025, the Department of Disease Control under the Ministry of Public Health reported that respiratory infections such as RSV, influenza, COVID-19, and pneumonia tend to spread during the rainy season.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) is a virus that can infect both children and adults, but it primarily spreads among young children. According to data from the Digital Disease Surveillance (DDS) system, between January 1 and July 21, 2025, a total of 1,631 RSV infection cases have been reported, with no deaths.

One key factor contributing to the rapid spread of RSV is the virus's ability to survive outside the human body for several hours on surfaces. It can be transmitted through mucus, saliva, coughing, or sneezing, much like other respiratory infections.

The early symptoms of RSV resemble the common cold — fever, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and sore throat. However, if symptoms escalate to rapid breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest retractions, fatigue, reduced appetite, or in children, lack of playfulness or refusal to breastfeed, it is crucial to seek medical attention immediately.

 

The Department of Disease Control emphasizes the importance of prevention, especially for the general public, parents, and the elderly. Preventive measures similar to those for influenza and COVID-19 include:

- Washing hands frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizer

- Avoiding touching the nose, mouth, or eyes with unwashed hands

- Not sharing personal items such as cups, spoons, and forks

- Regularly disinfecting children’s toys, especially after exposure to a sick child

- Avoiding close contact with individuals showing symptoms of respiratory illness

Recommendations for patients include:

1.Resting at home and wearing a mask; cleaning the home frequently to reduce viral presence

2.Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent thick mucus

3.Visiting a doctor promptly if symptoms worsen, such as difficulty breathing, lethargy, or poor appetite

For more information, the Disease Control Department hotline is available at 1422.

 

Source:
Thaihealth

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