Increase in common cold cases in young children may be linked to COVID-19 lockdowns

As children return to school in recent weeks, doctors have noticed an increase in some children getting severe colds due to the two most common viruses that cause upper respiratory infections: rhinoviruses and enteroviruses.

That’s according to a recent report from Chicago — though it’s not limited to the area.

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

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However, “We found more young children and infants with respiratory disease than usual. [see] Dr. Czer Anthony Lim, chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Beth Israel Hospital at Mount Sinai in New York, said on Fox News Digital.

“It’s interesting that we had a viral hodgepodge,” Dr. Natalie Lambajian-Drummond of Yorkville, Illinois, told CBS Chicago recently, adding that she even had to get the child in the hospital by ambulance.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), while a cold can happen at any time of the year, most colds occur during the winter and spring.

common respiratory viruses

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

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

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

These viruses typically occur mainly in the summer and fall, causing the “summer flu,” but can also cause other illnesses, such as a rash called hand, foot and mouth disease.

The website adds that they primarily infect children, as most adults have developed immunity to them.

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

A mother examines her sick daughter’s throat.
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“Historically, RSV season begins in mid-to-late fall and continues 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 cause breathing problems that require hospitalization in children up to the age of one.»

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

“Children at higher risk for severe disease after RSV include preterm infants (

He also reminded people that the flu, commonly known as “the flu,” is another common respiratory virus that occurs every year. “The flu vaccine is now available to anyone 6 months and older, so it’s important to protect yourself,” he said.

cold symptoms

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

Other symptoms may include headache and body aches.

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

A woman has a cold. Dr Mark Siegel, a Fox News contributor, said: “As masks are taken off and children start interacting more, we’re starting to see more of these infections, even off-season. [over the summer]Some are mild, some are more serious. »
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“Omicron was associated with more upper respiratory symptoms than previous variants,” said Fox News contributor Marc Siegel, PhD, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center.

This makes it more difficult to differentiate omicron from other upper respiratory infections such as rhinovirus, RSV and enteroviruses, especially in young children, Siegel told Fox News Digital.

“In fact, when the masks come off and the kids start interacting more, we start to see more of these infections, even off-season. [over the summer]Some are mild, some are more serious,” he said.

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This will increase the likelihood that other respiratory viruses will cause typical cold symptoms compared to the past two years, when many medical professionals “associate every sore throat, every sinus infection, every cough with COVID,” West said. Gal added.

Colds and COVID-19 Restrictions

Traditionally, people with serious illnesses, such as pneumonia, are people with “weakened immune systems, asthma or respiratory problems,” the CDC said.

But due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, some young children’s immune systems are not yet immune to the common cold.

When young children contract the common cold caused by certain respiratory viruses, some people today may get more severe infections, health professionals say.
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Therefore, when young children contract the common cold caused by certain respiratory viruses, some may get a more severe infection. “I would say the under-5s are the group to watch,” Lambajian-Drummond warned on CBS.

“Many of the young children we’ve seen have had tougher lessons when they contracted these viruses.”

Due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, some young children’s immune systems are not yet immune to the common cold.

“There may be multiple explanations for this rise, including COVID-19, enterovirus D68 and reduced innate immunity,” added Lim, who is also an associate professor of emergency medicine, pediatrics and medical education. Mount Sinai.

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“While COVID-19 in children often presents as mild disease, a minority of children become seriously ill – only 7% of children under 5 are vaccinated and masks are chosen in schools, making this group particularly sensitive . »

He also told Fox News Digital that limited in-person childcare and school attendance reduces exposure to common diseases that can boost innate immunity in young children.

Epidemiology

Every year, millions of Americans catch a cold, and the average adult gets 2-3 colds a year. But children are often more infected, according to the CDC.

“Colds are the number one reason children miss school and adults miss work,” the CDC says on its website.

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According to the CDC, there is no cure for the common cold, so treatment is symptomatic.

Prevention is the key

To reduce your risk 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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The agency also recommends calling your doctor if you or your child develop cold symptoms for the following reasons: Symptoms persist for more than 10 days; Unusual or severe symptoms, such as a fever or your child is lethargic; Your child does not to 3 months old.