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Respiratory infections leave pediatric units stretched

Intensive care doctors in Germany warned yesterday that hospital pediatric units in the country are stretched to breaking point in part because of rising cases of respiratory infections among infants. The intensive care association DIVI said the seasonal surge in respiratory syncytial virus cases and a shortage of nurses was causing a ‘‘catastrophic situation’’ in hospitals. RSV is a common, highly contagious virus that infects nearly all babies and toddlers by age 2, some of whom can fall seriously ill. Experts say the easing of coronavirus pandemic restrictions means RSV is currently affecting a larger number of babies and children whose immune systems aren’t primed to fend it off.

World

en-nz

2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-12-03T08:00:00.0000000Z

https://fairfaxmedia.pressreader.com/article/282106345664349

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