The Dénia Hospital prepares for the increase in respiratory problems in the generation known as "bubble children"

El Hospital de Dénia, managed by the Ribera Health Group, has launched a contingency plan in the Pediatrics Ward, given the increase in cases of minors with respiratory and stomach problems. Spaces have been reorganized and material and human resources have been increased, with the aim of offering care similar to that given in Pediatric Intensive Care Units.

Cases of respiratory problems are increasing in the generation known as "bubble children"

According to the Head of the Pediatric Service, Dr. Josep Mut, the number of consultations has increased by around 35-40%, as well as admissions to the hospitalization floor. “We are, he assures, at higher levels of registered cases, even than in the pre-pandemic period.”

Right now the viruses that are most affecting children under 2 years of age are rotavirus and syncytial. The latter is the one with the most casuistry and is responsible for respiratory infections, such as bronchiolitis.

In the cases of minors, between 6 months and one year, it begins with a cold and, after a few days, leads to fever, wheezing and difficulty breathing and swallowing. The recommendation is that parents monitor these symptoms and, if the described picture occurs, go to the health services.

Specialists also recommend extreme hygiene measures: very frequent hand washing, ventilating rooms and covering the mouth when coughing.

The viral epidemic in pediatric patients, under two years of age, is due, in part, to the overprotection that this generation of minors, born in the midst of a pandemic, has had.

Children "Bubble Generation"

Dr. Mut defines them as a group of children who, due to the experiences we have had in recent years, have been more protected than the patients of previous years. “They are small, he assures, who have lived in an environment in which the mask, hand hygiene and ventilation of the spaces predominated, so they have had less immune reinforcement and now they are the ones who are suffering the consequences of these viruses. respiratory”.

The "bubble generation", adds the Head of the Pediatric Service of the Dénia Hospital, is made up of children who, for example, when entering a store go directly to the gel dispenser. They have very internalized hygiene, since not having worn the mask at school, the only way to combat the COVID-19 virus has been based on a lot of hygiene and ventilation ”.