Hygiene Protection Monitoring Center released a report saying that RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) cases have continued to rise in recent weeks, which may be an indicator of the early arrival of the RSV season, similar to 2021, which is particularly serious this year. This is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild cold-like symptoms that most people will recover within a week or two. However, for infants and older people, it can be serious.
It is an important cause of severe respiratory diseases in children under two years of age and is also the most common reason for hospitalization for acute respiratory diseases in very young patients. Last fall, the children's hospital in Dublin faced pressure due to a surge in respiratory RSV, resulting in the cancellation of selective surgery.
Two RSV outbreaks have been reported in recent weeks, one occurred in hospitals and the other in private residences. Last week, 114 cases were reported, double the weekly figure in early September. Parents are urged to be alert to symptoms, usually starting with a nasal congestion or runny nose, then developing into a dry cough, fever, and sometimes breathing problems.
At the same time, from September 5 to October 2, a total of 34 influenza were hospitalized in influenza , two of whom were admitted to intensive care unit , and one influenza patient died.
In addition, the HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Program now offers free nationwide online services. It offers people 17 years and older living in Ireland the option to detect sexually transmitted infections (STI) at home – free STI test packages available on the online platform will be ordered, which will be delivered to your home by mail; users can complete the test at home and put samples into a prepaid envelope provided to mail to the lab; and those who need further testing and treatment will be referred to the participating public sexually transmitted infection clinics to ensure a seamless experience.
