The bronchiolitis epidemic, a deathblow for pediatrics?

To the now chronic difficulties of the hospital is added the unprecedented scale of the seasonal epidemic, both in terms of visits to the emergency room and hospitalizations. 198893698/silentalex88 – stock.adobe.com

DECRYPTION – Particularly strong and early, it reveals the weaknesses of hospital services which have long been warning about their structural difficulties.

The pediatric surgical activity of the Timone hospital in Marseille (AP-HM) is deprogrammed until further notice, excluding emergencies and oncology. “This is the first time that we have come to this end”blow the P^r Fabrice Michel, head of the pediatric anesthesia-resuscitation department. Particularly strong and early this year, the epidemic of bronchiolitis, this inflammation of the bronchi caused by the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) which can plunge babies into respiratory distress, has dealt too much blow to the pediatric departments, already shaken by the pandemic. of Covid. “In Marseille, we already have insufficient means in normal times, laments the P^r Michel. Today, the situation is catastrophic. We are on a high plateau with unabated activity. That night, we refused three patients, who had to turn to other more distant establishments. And yet, we opened 8 more beds than usual in my department…

This article is for subscribers only. You have 81% left to discover.

Pushing back the limits of science is also freedom.

Keep reading your article for €0.99 for the first month

Already subscribed? Login