This year's season of RS virus is both unusually early and intense.
The reason is that many children now encounter the virus for the first time after the pandemic.
The great spread of infection does not happen in society - but between siblings.
- Almost all babies who are in hospital today have siblings at home who go to preschool.
All children get this virus before the age of two and now very many who get this virus for the first time, not only infants but also slightly older children who have not encountered the virus during the pandemic, says Malin Ryd Rinder, operations manager and pediatrician at Astrid Lindgren's children's hospital.
Most children who need hospital care are under four months and the peak of the spread of infection is expected to be reached in about two weeks.
Malin Ryd Rinder now urges parents to limit their and their children's social contacts.
- Do not meet lots of other people, absolutely do not send cold children to preschool and as far as possible also keep preschool children at home if you have an infant at home.
During the period week 21 to 39, 2101 cases of the RS virus were diagnosed according to the Public Health Agency.
Of these, 862 cases were found on children under one year.