Great pressure on hospitals until the peak of the flu wave, Greek pulmonologists estimate

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“Occupancies sometimes reach 100% in the single beds – increased chances of hospitalization in the ICU” said the president of the Union of Pulmonologists of Greece

It is possible that the coronavirus is entering an endemic phase and what we experienced in previous years is at an end, or we are now at the beginning of a new era, where in the context of very intense climate change, new pathogens will emerge and we will have a different picture of health , than we have known so far? This is a question that is being discussed in all world forums, but no one can give a clear answer at this given time, says the president of the Union of Pulmonologists of Greece Dr Stamatoula Tsikrikasat the same time outlining the stigma of the times, but also the image that currently exists in our country, due to the outbreak of several viruses at the same time, together with influenza, Covid19 and RSV.

The aggressiveness of the flu this year increases the chances of hospitalization in the ICU

Nationwide, we are both in the adult population and in pediatrics at a not yet peak, but at a high level of hospitalizations, with occupancy levels sometimes reaching 100% on single bedsbut also in the ICUs there is an increased demand, says Ms. Tsikrikas to then emphasize that especially now during the seasonal flu season, there is increased morbidity and because this year the flu virus has shown a greater aggressivenessthere is often a greater chance that someone will need an intensive care bed.

The health system, according to the well-known pulmonologist, is currently faced not, as in previous years, with a respiratory virus that dominated, but with multiple respiratory viruses, which in order to prevail and survive in the community against the coronavirus, appear and prove the evidence, that they increase both their aggression and their morbidity.

“I estimate that in the coming weeks and until the peak of the flu wave we will be under a lot of pressure. However, how things will develop has to do with how well we will be prepared and strengthened. After three years of the pandemic, I think there is from the previous waves, both the clinical experience, but also the knowledge of how much the health system can be strained, but also which structures are those that should be strengthened and activated.”

So what needs to be done at this stage so that we don’t end up in situations that no one wants to experience again?

Critical health strategies for managing the respiratory virus crisis

“For me, at the moment, great vigilance is needed on three levels:

1. At the level of health strategies. In other words, how will they be able to strengthen, utilize and manage in the best and most correct way at this particular moment in time the crisis of respiratory viruses.

2. How health professionals will be able to stand rested again and with high-quality services next to the patient and

3. The population should be able to understand the good practices and good knowledge we have acquired in previous years, both for individual responsibility, but also for respiratory health and personal hygiene, and not abandon them. If all of these work well and come into balance, I think we will be able to do it with the least loss of life.”

Regarding the opening of schools after the holidays and the impact this has on the further outbreak of viruses, Mrs. Tsikrikas comments: “Every activity and every meeting with people who transmit and do not stay at home, we know very well that it will lead to an increase in cases , something we are already seeing from the first week of school opening after the holidays. After all, we expected it, and it will also be reflected epidemiologically. Children cannot stay at home. We’ve figured it out. Schools were not closed in any country, not even in ours, especially since now the weather is still particularly good.”

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