What is IMMUNITY DEBT

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) such as social distancing and hand hygiene have had unintended consequences for other respiratory infections.

Possibility of unseasonal outbreaks

Disruptions to the seasonal transmission patterns of respiratory diseases may result in severe future outbreaks.
Being constantly exposed to infectious agents, we are boosting our immune response, but with lockdown and no exposure to germs, we will be immune deprived..thus resulting in unseasonal outbreaks.

Ex. the case of NEW ZEALAND

Due to lockdown, New Zealand is now fighting another respiratory virus, RSV, because children were mostly stuck indoors amid lockdown and were underexposed to germs. 

New Zealand witnessed a peak in respiratory infection cases from June to September every year; however, in 2020, the country experienced the complete absence of an annual winter influenza epidemic. As per a study, the country witnessed a 99.9% reduction in flu cases and a 98% reduction in RSV. 

In 2021, the children have been more vulnerable than usual to the same viruses. The country reported 969 cases in five weeks compared with an average of 1,743 cases over the entire 29-week winter season in the five years before the pandemic. 

As per the experts, the recent surge in RSV cases has yet to reach a plateau as there is a young cohort of children from last year, plus a new cohort this year, who have not been exposed to the seasonal virus.

Epidemiologist and public health professor Michael Baker used the metaphor of forest brushfires: if a year or two have passed without fire, there is more fuel on the ground to feed the flames. When a fire finally comes, it burns much more fiercely. “What we see now is we’ve accumulated a whole lot of susceptible children that have missed out on exposure – so now they’re seeing it for the first time,” Baker said.

About RSV.  What is it?

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms.

Symptoms of RSV are as follows:-
1- Runny nose
2- Decrease in appetite
3- Coughing
4- Sneezing
5- Fever
6- Wheezing

The symptoms usually reflect within 4-6 days after getting infected and appear in stages. 

Usually, people recover in 1-2 weeks, but it can be serious for infants and older adults. 

Cure of RSV

There is no specific treatment for RSV infection. Fever reducers and pain killers, drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration may help. 

Possible ways of Transmission RSV

1- When an infected person coughs or sneezes.
2- Direct contact with the virus. 
3- Touch a surface that may have a virus on it, and then touch your face before sanitizing or washing your hands.  

Prevention methods can be adopted:-

1- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper shirt sleeve.
2- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
3- Avoid close contact with others.
4- Clean frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs and mobile devices.

There is a need to reassess the role of NPIs and analysis of most effective components to prevent respiratory virus transmission and infection. This might yield new and sustainable interventions that may minimize and prevent seasonal and epidemic respiratory viral illnesses in the future.