Health ministry on alert for respiratory virus - Parents urged to take note of symptoms in children

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony is urging parents with young children to take note of the symptoms associated with the Respiratory Syncytial Virus as it is presenting in children below the age of two in combination with the Covid-19 Virus.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony. (Photo: DPI)

"Over the last couple of months is that RSV is now in combination which covid and it's presenting a lot of problems with small children, below the age of two".

Respiratory Syncytial Virus according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults.

“We are on the lookout for that, we haven’t seen much cases of this happening but we are on the lookout for it ".

The Health Minister noted that there are currently no active cases in Guyana but is encouraging parents whose children are experiencing breathing problems to seek medical assistance.

"If parents notice their children is having breathing problems, they should bring them into the hospital for an examination and treatment."