When masks came down, respiratory infections went up for young children

Noah Fatrish and Luth were born during the Covid-19 pandemic, when lockdowns, mask wearing and social distancing were the norm.

Luth’s mother, Ms Nabilah Awang, 30, said: “It felt like I had dipped my son into a cesspool of childhood germs. Luth came back with Covid-19, HFMD and flu – the illnesses were a monthly occurrence. Last November, he was in intensive care at National University Hospital with both Influenza A and RSV .”

“The easing of safe management measures has contributed to an increase in the number of infections caused by respiratory viruses. Children in 2020 and 2021 had less exposure to common respiratory viruses compared with those of similar age in the previous years, due to enhanced hygiene practices during the Covid-19 pandemic. The lack of exposure has contributed to a rise in the number of children experiencing respiratory tract infections caused by common respiratory viruses,” Dr Li said.

Infectious diseases specialist Leong Hoe Nam said: “Without the Covid-19 years, we would have had our regular infections for two to three years running. But when masks came down, the infections went up. All three years of infection are squeezed into a six- to 12-month session.”

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