Karen and her husband carried their 5-month-old daughter from one hospital to another in search of a bed for treatment after her condition worsened to the point of difficulty in breathing. Children's wards are "overflowing" in many hospitals, a strange scene especially with the end of the "COVID-19" pandemic. The same picture is seen in pediatric clinics... So, what is happening?
Pediatrician and neonatologist Raymond Mekhaeel believes that "it is normal for various viruses to spread in the autumn season, particularly influenza. Additionally, the COVID-19 virus is still present, which is why we see many cases among children. It is worth mentioning that the symptoms are similar among many of them, such as cough, high fever, runny nose, and others, but H1N1 is the most widespread." He attributes the high number of cases to "what these children have experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak, as there is a generation that has not developed immunity against diseases due to lockdown and excessive fear from parents."
Mekhaeel expressed concern, in a discussion with MTV, that "if more cases of influenza, especially H1N1 and other strong viruses affecting children's immune systems, continue to be recorded, qualified medical teams may lose the ability to manage the cases and provide appropriate treatment for young patients." He urged parents to "monitor their children and refrain from sending them to nurseries and schools, as well as avoiding visits to elderly individuals in case of any symptoms, and to consult a pediatric specialist to limit the spread of infections."
In conclusion, Mekhaeel emphasizes the necessity of "not neglecting vaccinations for children, as the rate of vaccinated children against various diseases and viruses has decreased due to the economic crisis, at a time when we consider vaccination to be fundamental and indispensable because it provides a protective shield for the child and those around them."
