The Intensive Care Unit, the Nursing Unit and the Infectious Care Unit at the National Children’s Hospital (HNN) are about to reach their maximum capacity due to a peak of respiratory infections in children in the country.
According to the last registry, 121 children were hospitalized with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which affects minors more aggressively. Nearly 40% of them couldn’t even breathe on their own. Olga Arguedas, director of the medical center, said that some minors have died due to the complications linked to the virus.
The Ministry of Health recommended keeping children under one year old at home during this period. Dr. Arguedas recommended parents to maintain prevention by keeping young children at home, comply with the cough and sneeze protocol, correct hand washing, avoid contact with sick people, avoid exposure to cigarettes, and continue breastfeeding babies.
The peak of RSV infections could be extended for three or four more weeks, according to Daniel Salas, director of Health Surveillance.