tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
STRONGER flu strains, including swine flu, have caused a 30 per cent increase in the number of babies admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis over the past two years.
Doctors predict the figures will be worse this year with cold weather biting early and the number of upper respiratory infections up generally.
Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest air passages of the lungs. It is caused by a virus and leads to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, usually in children under two.
Sydney Children's Hospital figures show a 30 per cent increase in bronchiolitis admissions between 2008 and 2010, with numbers from the first five months of 2011 suggesting there will be even more cases this year.
Hospital admissions for upper respiratory tract infections increased by 13 per cent over the same period.
A NSW Health spokeswoman said that there was "a suggestion of a slightly higher increase this year in these respiratory illnesses among adults and children".
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http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/hospitals-full-of-flu-babies/story-e6freuy9-1226091503264
Doctors predict the figures will be worse this year with cold weather biting early and the number of upper respiratory infections up generally.
Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, the smallest air passages of the lungs. It is caused by a virus and leads to coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, usually in children under two.
Sydney Children's Hospital figures show a 30 per cent increase in bronchiolitis admissions between 2008 and 2010, with numbers from the first five months of 2011 suggesting there will be even more cases this year.
Hospital admissions for upper respiratory tract infections increased by 13 per cent over the same period.
A NSW Health spokeswoman said that there was "a suggestion of a slightly higher increase this year in these respiratory illnesses among adults and children".
..
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/hospitals-full-of-flu-babies/story-e6freuy9-1226091503264