An alarming increase in cases of pneumonia among children in Israel, already at the beginning of the winter season. According to the report of the National Center for Disease Control at the Ministry of Health published on November 5, there was an increase in referrals to clinics due to lung infections among children aged 0 to 11 at Maccabi Health Services and aged 2 to 11 at Clalit Health Services.
Dr. Bassel Abu Gefar, a specialist in general pediatrics in the Southern District, describes a significant increase in the last two weeks in the number of children diagnosed with pneumonia. Some of them are diagnosed with pneumonia, among other things through clinical examination and lung ultrasound. What is particularly worrisome is the volume of cases we encounter already at such an early stage of the season. There are dozens,” he explains.
Dr. Amir Mendelson, a specialist in pediatrics and emergency medicine for children and head of general pediatrics in the Sharon-Shomron district, also describes a significant increase in respiratory morbidity among children, with dozens of cases of pneumonia. “We see that the numbers are increasing. This year, the flu-like illness started two or three weeks earlier than previous years,” he says.
Prof. Malena Cohen-Simbarcano, chair of the Association of Pediatric Pulmonologists in Israel and director of the Pediatric Pulmonary Unit at Hadassah Ein Kerem and Mount Scopus, describes an increase in the number of children suffering from pneumonia, some of whom already require hospitalization. develop following a viral infection complicated by a bacterial infection. Other viruses, including influenza and adenovirus, may also cause pneumonia. “In cases of viral disease, the treatment is mainly supportive, and sometimes oxygen is also required.”
Referring to the figures of the Ministry of Health, according to which 137 children have already been hospitalized with the flu in recent weeks, of which six are in intensive care, he emphasizes that this is a particularly dramatic figure. “It’s a crazy number in absolute terms, especially when we’re just at the beginning of the season. An average children’s ward has about 30 beds, and when you divide this number among the children’s wards in Israel, you realize how significant it is. We’re not yet at the peak of morbidity, and we haven’t even started the significant increase. I estimate that in three to four weeks we’ll be talking differently. It will surprise me for the better if we don’t see another increase.”
Dr. Mendelsohn points out that among the children who needed intensive care there are also children without underlying illnesses, and that some of the children who got sick were not vaccinated against the flu. “We see children with a fever that lasts four or five days, sometimes a high fever, and especially a cough. But if the child seems to be in good condition and continues to function when the temperature drops, an urgent investigation is not always necessary. Even if we are diagnosed with pneumonia the next day, in most cases it will not significantly change the situation. On the other hand, a child who looks very sick needs an urgent examination.”
“In particularly severe cases, treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit may be required”
According to Dr. Abu Gafar, not only the flu virus is responsible for morbidity. “It is important to understand that it is not just the flu. There are other respiratory viruses, including RSV and other viruses, that can cause pneumonia. In addition, there are also bacterial infections, and sometimes a bacterial infection develops following a viral disease.”
According to him, although most children recover without significant complications, pneumonia may in some cases develop into a serious illness. “There are cases where pneumonia can lead to respiratory distress, a decrease in the blood oxygen level and even the need for hospitalization. In particularly severe cases, treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit may be required.”
However, he clarifies that not every pneumonia requires antibiotic treatment. “The decision on the treatment is made according to the child’s clinical condition, the test findings and ancillary tests if necessary. When it comes to viral pneumonia, the treatment is usually supportive, while in cases where bacterial pneumonia is suspected, antibiotic treatment is given according to medical judgment.”
Finally, he recommends that parents pay special attention to changes in the child’s condition. “It is important not to panic, but also not to ignore warning signs. A child with rapid or labored breathing, difficulty breathing, abnormal sleepiness, a significant decrease in drinking or worsening of his general condition needs a medical evaluation as soon as possible. Timely diagnosis and proper medical follow-up can prevent complications and ensure appropriate treatment.”
“The message to parents is simple: not every fever and cough indicates pneumonia, but it is important to look at the child and not just at the thermometer.”