We have been asked to support our colleagues within the NHS Tees Valley to bring to your attention a predicted surge in RSV (bronchiolitis) in our region. This may been seen as early as August.
This is a virus that is usually seen in winter but this year it is predicted to come much earlier and at increased numbers. RSV usually affects children aged 2 or under, but in Australia, where much of our learning is coming from, they have seen this virus in older children too.
There has been planning underway within all NHS Acute Trusts to support a potential increase in RSV activity of between 20-40% compared to normal times. In order to try and ease the wider pressure to both secondary and primary care within the NHS, our colleagues have been working with NHS paediatricians and the wider healthcare system to develop a leaflet for parents/carers that will support parents to best manage their poorly child, should they catch RSV.
We have been asked to share this information leaflet with parents as widely as possible, including within primary and secondary school settings, as of course many families will have younger children at home, or children who are more vulnerable to such illnesses.
Thank you for taking the time to give this document a read, and passing on to friends or family should it be potentially useful for them.