Surge in Flu and Respiratory Infections Strain Medical System
A wave of flu and respiratory infections is sweeping through hospitals across the country, with Bucharest clinics already at full capacity. At Spitalul Marie Curie, up to 300 children are admitted daily, with 80% diagnosed with bronchitis, bronchiolitis, or pneumonia. Doctors warn that readmissions are becoming a serious issue, with some children visiting multiple hospitals before ending up at Marie Curie.
Parents are trying to help their children by initially resorting to "miracle" immunity-boosting treatments found online, but these often do more harm than good.
Parents’ Testimonials
- "Fever, cough, headache, sore throat. In fact, we’re all down, but she was the worst hit."
- "My child hasn’t gotten a cold in five years, and I get one every month."
Medical Perspective
Dr. Alina Antohe at Spitalul Marie Curie UPU explained, "In one shift, we see patients who have been previously treated at Grigore Alexandrescu and INSM, and now they’re here. We’re dealing with broncholitis in young children, bronchitis and pneumonia in older ones, which can escalate into respiratory infections, requiring hospitalization or transfer if our hospital is full."
Boost Immunity Before the Cold Season
Specialists urge everyone to bolster immunity before the cold season starts. Eat healthy, rest, and consider herbal remedies like Vitamin C drops, propolis, or echinacea, but always consult a pediatrician first.
For adults, ozone therapy and a Bale done test can be beneficial, but the first line of defense is vaccination. However, due to high demand, many pharmacies are already out of stock. Pregnant women, children, and seniors can get vaccinated for free at public health centers.
Keywords used: flu, respiratory infections, hospitals, children’s health, immunity, vaccination.
