The „Matei Balș” Institute of Infectious Diseases and the „Dr. Victor Gomoiu” Children’s Clinical Hospital in Bucharest are registering a high number of flu cases every day, and medical authorities warn that the flu season is far from over.
Dozens of flu patients daily
Dr. Adrian Marinescu, the manager of the "Matei Balș" Institute, explained to News.ro that approximately 200 patients present at the emergency room within 24 hours, half of them with acute respiratory infections, most of which are flu cases.
"At the moment, presentations have doubled compared to a usual month, we have around 200 in 24 hours, referring to children and adults, half of them with acute respiratory infections, with flu practically occupying the main place.
We have reached a point where we have 70-80 flu patients every day, maybe even more. From here, quite a few need to be hospitalized, especially children, where monitoring is necessary, not necessarily because they have severe forms, and in adults, whether they are elderly or have chronic diseases, there are also complications, even severe forms, although it is true that critical cases rarely end up in the ICU."
The new variant of influenza A, subtype AH3N2, named K, is already circulating in Europe and has been identified in Romania through sequencing performed at Matei Balș.
"I can't say it has anything different, that there is increased virulence, by definition influenza viruses spread very easily, contagion is high, the symptoms are varied, and I wouldn't say what we have now is different, just that we should start from the idea that it is the viral variant of the moment and that we are in the midst of the flu season, which is far from over, and it is very possible that in the coming weeks, at the end of the year and in January, we will have even more intense activity compared to what we have now.
Unfortunately, the population of Romania is not adequately protected through vaccination, as we would have liked, in such a way that we reach a percentage of 75% of those at risk."
Affected children and strict visiting rules
At the "Victor Gomoiu" Hospital, Dr. Claudina Cobzariu, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, stated that half of the cases presented at the emergency room are children diagnosed with influenza A, most of them redirected to infectious diseases hospitals, but sometimes admitted directly to Gomoiu.
"In the last week, there have been around 150 cases on average at the emergency room, of which about 40-50% are detected with a positive rapid antigen test for influenza A. It is a considerable number, unfortunately on the rise. In second place is the respiratory syncytial virus, with 5-10 cases out of the total presentations. Covid has not been recorded yet."
Symptoms in children are varied: high fever, chills, sore throat, headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, apathy, and weight loss due to dehydration. Some cases have included vomiting or diarrhea.
"Very few of those who fall ill are vaccinated, less than 50%, not even the parents are vaccinated, it is terrible, they cough, and the parents cough, they have very close contact. Unfortunately, we have already had three cases of hospital-acquired influenza infection, which led us to take slightly more drastic measures."
For this reason, the visitation program has been restricted: only one relative (usually the mother) can stay with the hospitalized patient. This is not a punishment but a measure to protect the children.
"We absolutely do not allow any more, it is not a punishment for any family member, it is just a firm protection measure for the little ones. Fortunately, there are no severe forms, but they can complicate, young children are vulnerable, with low immunity, and can develop complications such as pneumonia, other disorders of underlying diseases eventually, children with cardiovascular, neurological problems, low immunity, eventually, and of course, it is risky."