Runny nose, cough, fever: many people are sick right now. A wave of infections has Switzerland firmly under control and currently mainly affects children. Hospitals across Switzerland are sounding the alarm because beds are full. Infections such as RSV, corona and flu are worrying parents.
Virologist Isabella Eckerle warns parents of small children to reduce the risk of infection for them. “Don’t meet sick friends or families, don’t send sick children to children’s birthday parties, wear a face mask yourself if you meet a lot of people, leave sick children at home,” she writes on Twitter. One should not participate in the “happy thorough infection”.
With a view to the holidays, she recommends meeting friends and family “just outside instead of inside” – just as you have done for the past three years to reduce the risk of contamination.
“Some Get Very Sick”
Eckerle admits it’s true that every child will eventually experience their first infection with RSV, flu, or Covid. “But it ‘doesn’t have to be’ this winter.”
Even though most children would survive an infection well, “some become very ill”. This is all the more true as the children are younger and with risk factors. “But even completely healthy children can become so sick that they have to go to the clinic,” warns Eckerle. There are already many sick children there and the staff is scarce.
Any infection that can currently be avoided protects health and valuable resources, says Eckerle. Because: “No one wants to lie in the aisle with their sick child.”
“Nobody Misses Anything”
Eckerle also points to bottlenecks in the supply of fever juice and antibiotics. Infections don’t improve the immune system and can lead to complications, she explains. “Nobody misses anything who stays healthy now!”