Health Minister Adam Niedzielski communicated on Tuesday that the number of hospitalisations of children due to flu and RSV infections is falling. Compared to last week, there are 10 % fewer of them.

“Another indication that the epidemic peak of influenza is behind us. The number of hospitalisations of children is falling. Due to flu and RSV infections, we have 10 % fewer occupied beds compared to last week. The winter holidays, which have started, should further curb infections”, the head of the health ministry wrote on Twitter.

On Monday, the minister reported that new epidemic data confirms the peak of the flu wave has passed. Last week, the Health Ministry recorded more than 50,000 fewer flu infections than the week before. According to data from the National Institute of Public Health PZH – National Research Institute, from 1 to 7 January there were 306,637 cases of influenza and suspected cases, and from 8 to 15 January there were 252,837; a total of 559,474.

In the first week of January, 2,891 visits to hospital were made due to influenza and its suspicions, while in the second week, 2,387 were made. 33 people have died so far in January due to influenza – 7 in the first week and 26 in the week from 8 to 15 January.

Flu manifests itself as muscle, joint and headaches. Unlike colds, a runny nose is rarely present during flu; a dry, agonising cough is more characteristic. Influenza can also be asymptomatic or with few symptoms.

RSV infections are the most common respiratory tract infection in newborns and infants. It is a so-called respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It spreads by the droplet tract in all age groups. Symptoms of this infection include a runny nose, malaise and fever. Children who are more susceptible to infection may develop pneumonia or bronchiolitis, as well as cardiac dysfunction, expiratory dyspnoea and apathy and excessive sleepiness.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński