THE ROLE OF PUBLIC MEDIA IN REDUCING
OSPITALIZATION OF INFANTS WITH RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS DISEASE
Vucajnk L, Mestrovic A, Mladenovic A, Kozorog K
General Hospital, Pediatric Department, Celje, Slovenia
Objective: The possibility of reduction hospitalization
of infants with community acquired RSV disease by appropriate and current
information about the symptoms, the way of transmission and prevention of
RSV infections.
Methods: In two winter seasons we investigated the
incidence of hospitalization of infants with community acquired RSV
disease: first season was December 1, 1998, to February 28, 1999; second
season was December 1,2000, to February 28, 2001. During the first season
there was an outbreak of different respiratory virus infections, so public
media (local radio, TV and newspapers) informed people about the outbreak,
about the symptoms, the way of transmission, the role of isolation
(especially infants) and about therapy of respiratory viral diseases.
Second season was free of epidemic, so people were not informed about
respiratory infections.
Results: In the first season 13 infants with community
acquired RSV disease were hospitalized: 6 because of obstructive
bronchitis, 2 with bronchopneumonia and 5 with other respiratory
infections. None of them had complications, all were released home cured.
In the second season 38 infants were admitted: 19 with obstructive
bronchitis, 17 with bronchiolitis and 2 with bronchopneumonia. In 3 infants
illness was complicated with respiratory distress and they needed intensive
care with artificial respiration.
Conclusion: It is possible to
reduce hospitalization of infants with RSV disease by appropriate and
timely information about the symptoms, the way of spreading and the
importance of isolation of infants during the winter seasons of respiratory
virus infections.