Children's Hospital Makarios is 90% Full

The pediatric department of Makarios Hospital is 90 percent occupied by children suffering from respiratory infections. This was reported by the head of the department, Dr. Avraam Elias.

In a conversation with the Cyprus News Agency, the doctor noted that this year, the number of sick children has increased compared to the previous year. On average, six to eight hospitalizations are registered daily.

"Mostly, these are children suffering from respiratory infections; that is, 7 out of 10 children we are currently treating have respiratory infections, among which the RSV virus predominates, causing acute bronchiolitis in young children. That's why more than half of the children being treated are infants, children up to 12 months old," said the doctor.

Avraam Elias explained that acute bronchiolitis is the main reason for children's admission to pediatric departments in the winter months. The peak incidence usually occurs in January and February.

The second most common reason for hospitalization is lower respiratory tract infections, microbial, or viral pneumonia.

Children often have fever, cough, breathing difficulties, and the cough can be persistent. Also, those who are sick may experience a runny nose and sometimes gastrointestinal disorders, so they need to be hospitalized in pediatric departments for appropriate treatment.

During the New Year holidays, doctors expect a decrease in the incidence due to the closure of schools. After the holidays, with the opening of schools, an increase in the number of sick children is predicted.

It is also noted that currently, four children with coronavirus are in the hospital.