It appears this winter is bringing an increase in upper respiratory infections and other acute respiratory ailments with it, explaining the recent increase in pediatric admissions in Netanya’s Laniado Hospital.

According to the hospital’s director of pediatrics, the hospital’s unit regularly sees an increase in pediatric admissions during the winter season due to respiratory illnesses among children and infants, both viral and bacterial. He explains that such illnesses are easily transmitted from child to child, via saliva or contact.

He explains that documentation regarding a new vaccination in the United States against a pandemic, a primary cause of pneumonia, is quite encouraging. The World Health Organization is calling for the inclusion of this new vaccination in the standard regimen given to children.

Dr. Shechter explained admitting children permits treating them under controlled conditions and giving systemic support, to prevent deterioration in their condition. This is especially true with any child diagnosed with or suspected of having H1N1, swine flu. Such a child will be admitted and treated to prevent the illness from attacking his vital systemic organs.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)