A respiratory virus with symptoms of a common cold is stretching resources at Mater Dei Hospital, which is at almost full capacity, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.
Although incidence of the flu is on the same level as previous years, general practitioners have seen a sudden spike in patients suffering from the Respiratory Syncytial Virus, which is one of some 200 viruses that produce symptoms of a common cold.
The Day Care Unit, which usually has 15 patients, had 44 patients, while corridors around the Emergency Department were nearly all occupied, according to sources.
They said there was one corridor, which takes up to 15 beds, which was still available for admissions over the weekend.
The situation at Mater Dei was even worse earlier in the week, with management fighting against the odds to find room for new admissions.
A spokesman for the Health Ministry confirmed, when contacted, that the hospital witnessed a steep increase in admissions over the past seven to 10 days.
“Data shows that Mater Dei Hospital registered around 200 patient admissions, including scheduled operations, in each 24-hour period between last Monday and Wednesday. This totals to an increase of 65 daily patient admissions when compared to the average rate of admissions,” the spokesman said.
“There was an abnormal spike in admissions of medical cases but back-up plans proved effective and the situation was brought to normality within a couple of days,” sources close to the hospital management added.
The Day Care Unit, which usually has 15 patients, had 44 patients
Charmaine Gauci, who heads the Health Promotion and Disease Directorate, said that according to feedback received from GPs, flu activity has not increased compared to previous years although they were seeing flu cases “a couple of weeks earlier”.
The high incidence of the common cold was clear from the influenza sentinel of the department, whereby a number of GPs provide daily data on both influenza cases and respiratory infections, otherwise known as the common cold.
Last year, the peak of influenza took place around February.
“Out of 100 patients GPs are seeing, only four have the flu. The others have varying ailments but mainly the RSV, which has the same symptoms of the common cold that include a slight fever, runny nose and a sore throat. The influenza symptoms are usually worse and are usually accompanied by higher fevers,” she said. Dr Gauci said this virus – like other common cold viruses – was not covered by the flu jab. She recommended that patients with symptoms of a common cold do not go to work or school, cover their mouths with a tissue when sneezing and wash their hands regularly, preferably with an alcohol rub.
Influenza is highly contagious and spreads rapidly by coughs and sneezes from people who are already carrying the virus. Influenza affects about one in 10 people around the world every year, creating substantial demands on healthcare resources and escalating costs.
The most common symptoms of influenza include an abrupt onset of fever, headache, muscle ache and a dry cough. The effects of influenza are debilitating, putting people out of action altogether, and recovery can take up to two weeks.