The five most dangerous viruses for young children and seniors. How to avoid getting sick?

Viral infections are especially dangerous for infants and seniors. In the first case, the immune system is not yet fully developed, while in the second case it is often impaired by other chronic diseases (including hypertension, diabetes or atherosclerosis). Such infections often lead to dehydration and serious damage to internal organs. In extreme cases, also death. What are the most dangerous viruses for young children and seniors? How to protect yourself from getting sick?

The most dangerous viruses for infants and seniors

1. RSV virus – respiratory syncytial virus is highly contagious (in the event of an epidemic, the risk of infection is estimated at 50%)
2. SARS-Cov-2 virus – causing COVID-19. Dangerous for both seniors and children. This first age group has the highest number of deaths. It is related to the occurrence of the so-called comorbidities that significantly weaken the immune system. In children, the coronavirus can cause more serious consequences than initially thought. The symptoms of infection may be very nonspecific (runny nose, cough, high fever, muscle pain, weakness, shortness of breath and lack of appetite). Both in children and adults there is a risk of the development of pocovid syndrome manifested, among others, by myocarditis, impaired functioning of the nervous system, kidney dysfunction or arterial defects. 
3. HIV virus – transmitted primarily through infected blood (also in the prenatal period). Clinical symptoms of AIDS appear in about 15-25% of people. infants infected with this virus. It damages the cells of the immune system, which makes the child extremely vulnerable even to relatively harmless bacterial, viral and fungal infections. People over 60 are more and more often infected with HIV. It is believed that this may result from insufficient education of this group of our population. The results of scientific studies have shown that the risk of mortality due to HIV infection also increases with age. 
4. Rotavirus – is a common virus. Rotavirus is one of the pathogens that are extremely contagious for both children and adults. Microbes spread by airborne droplets not only through direct contact with an infected person, but also with surfaces they have touched. The main symptoms of infection are severe diarrhea, vomiting and a high fever. The increase in infections is mainly observed in the fall and winter season. The virus is especially dangerous for infants as it can be severely dehydrated and even fatal. 
5. Coxsackie virus – causing the so-called Boston, or Boston Disease. Enterovirus is transmitted by airborne droplets and presents a characteristic rash (mouth, hands and feet) which may be associated with high fever, fatigue, vomiting and diarrhea. Prevention of infections is mainly due to proper hygiene. 

What is the RSV virus?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most dangerous respiratory viruses, especially dangerous for infants and seniors. It spreads by droplets, and the peak incidence is recorded in autumn and winter, as well as between September and April.

Infection with RSV usually produces mild symptoms in adults and adolescents (it resembles ordinary flu), but if the immune system is weak, the symptoms can be fatal. It usually takes about a week from the time of infection to the appearance of the first symptoms.

The pathogen is very common and occurs in approx. 95 percent. children under 2 years of age. Nevertheless, the infection affects mainly newborns with low birth weight, congenital defects of the heart, lungs and immune system, as well as those fed with artificial milk.

RSV can cause serious lung disease in people over the age of 60, especially when the elderly have other medical conditions. It has been estimated that as many as 360 are hospitalized annually because of this infection. people 60+.

Symptoms of RSV infection in infants

In infants, RSV can cause:

1. flu-like symptoms, including runny nose, cough, fever, feeling tired and lack of appetite
2. catarrh of the respiratory tract, which is especially dangerous for premature newborns,
3. serious changes in the lung tissue – especially when the infection affects children with congenital defects of the respiratory system or the heart. Then it comes to dyspnea and apnea. In this group of patients, the mortality rate is approx. 37%.

Only 1 percent. infection in young children is asymptomatic.

Symptoms of RSV infection in seniors

In people over the age of 60, an RSV infection may initially resemble ordinary flu. Ignoring these symptoms carries the risk of developing lung inflammation, which may have serious consequences for health and life at an advanced age.

The probability of developing the disease is much higher in seniors suffering from chronic diseases, which is associated with weakened immunity and impaired functioning of the respiratory and circulatory systems.

Treatment of RSV infection

Currently, the treatment of RSV infection is typically symptomatic and consists in supporting the breathing parameters through the use of inhalers, and in difficult cases even a ventilator (assisted breathing) after previous intubation. Only in justified cases, pharmacotherapy is used (the effectiveness of which has not yet been clearly confirmed). Drugs used in RSV infections are, among others corticosteroids, immunoglobulins and antiviral substances such as ribavirin.

Doctors also control the body’s hydration and temperature. It is important not to overheat the body and avoid significant fluid loss, e.g. from diarrhea or vomiting.

How to prevent the disease?

Preventive vaccinations offer hope for effective prevention of RSV infections in children and seniors. However, an effective vaccine has not yet been developed, and the first attempts to develop it date back to the 60s. Unfortunately, they ended in failure.

Clinical trials are underway on an effective vaccine intended for seniors caring for young children, e.g. grandchildren. Therefore, healthy volunteers over 60 years of age are being sought, who, under the supervision of doctors, will take part in research on effective prevention of respiratory virus infections.

You can read more about the study here. The public campaign and recruitment for vaccine research is conducted by the Synexus clinic.