More kids coming down with RSV, viral pneumonia worries doctors | Hyderabad News

In Hyderabad, the incidence of severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases leading to viral pneumonia in children has been on the rise in recent years. RSV is a prevalent viral infection and a leading cause of infant mortality, yet awareness about it remains limited. With World Pneumonia Day approaching on November 12, health experts are emphasizing the need for prevention, treatment, and increased awareness regarding pneumonia and RSV, especially for vulnerable populations. Dr. Rishivardhan Reddy, a pediatric consultant at Aster Prime Hospital, notes that the virus tends to thrive during the monsoon and winter seasons, particularly affecting children under five years old.

Dr. E Ravindra Reddy, a consultant pulmonologist at Kamineni Hospitals, highlighted that RSV impacts the small airways in the lungs, leading to severe symptoms such as respiratory distress, cough, fever, and poor appetite. Infants, especially those with health complications, are at higher risk. Parents should be vigilant for critical signs like rapid breathing and bluish skin, which may indicate emergencies.

Health professionals stress the importance of differentiated diagnosis when treating pneumonia, as antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. High exposure to smoke has also been recognized as a contributing factor that can worsen RSV severity. A recent study from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that 61% of severe pneumonia cases in children are viral, with RSV accounting for 31% of those cases.