Healthcare authorities are reporting unprecedented patterns in winter viral infections, with patients experiencing prolonged post-viral symptoms and extended hospital stays.
Intensive care units are operating at high capacity, with paediatric wards seeing a gradual increase in Influenza A cases. Doctors say these patterns indicate fundamental changes in how winter viruses are affecting patients.
“Viruses have generally changed their behaviour,” pulmonologist Haris Armeftis told Phileleftheros. “We’re seeing increasingly frequent post-infectious symptoms, even after patients return to daily life following flu, alongside an increased number of extended hospital stays due to pulmonary complications.”
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), historically rare in adults, is now regularly sending elderly patients to intensive care units. Hospital wards remain overcrowded, with patients requiring prolonged care even after testing negative for infections.
State Health Services Organisation spokesman Charalambos Charilaou confirmed the trend, noting that many patients admitted with flu require continued hospitalisation despite negative test results due to persistent symptoms.
As of yesterday afternoon, seven patients were in intensive care – six with influenza and one with RSV. Numerous others occupy regular wards with Influenza A and B, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections.
At Makarios Hospital’s paediatric department, where occupancy rates hover between 80-85 per cent, director Avraam Elia reported that most admissions are infants under 12 months. Four children are currently in intensive care, with numbers showing an uptick compared to two weeks ago.
Healthcare officials remain vigilant as forecasters predict dropping temperatures in the coming days, potentially intensifying the situation.
Read more:
