Seasonal flu hits children hard / Doctors: Suspicions arise of a new subvariant emerging in…

Seasonal flu is appearing aggressively in children during this period. High, persistent fevers are characterizing the circulating viruses, and the worsening health conditions have made many children, according to doctors, require hospital treatment.

“Influenza A cases are notable for a high fever lasting several days, 39–40°C, which is very concerning for parents. Naturally, they come to the emergency room worried about lowering the fever, which can persist for several consecutive days. Often, blood and biochemical tests conducted here at QSUT have shown slightly elevated liver markers.

Cases can also include diarrhea and vomiting, poor nutrition over several days, which worries parents, sometimes requiring intravenous fluids; often there are also febrile convulsions, which people refer to as seizures caused by fever—this in itself is not a disease, but a consequence of the fever,” doctors report.

Pediatricians are urging parents to be extra cautious, as health complications have not been uncommon.

The Institute of Public Health has confirmed the presence of influenza type A, but not the K subvariant of AH3N2, which has concerned many countries worldwide. Meanwhile, doctors note that along with the flu, other viruses with similar clinical signs are circulating, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which has mostly affected infants up to nine months old. Therefore, during this festive period, doctors recommend avoiding exposing children to crowded environments.

At this time of year, patient flow in hospitals and health centers has increased. Although the wave of respiratory infections is rising, according to the Institute of Public Health, it has not yet reached its peak.

“KORÇA BOOM”