Scientists say this winter could be the worst on record for respiratory infections and UK hospitalizations after complete remission I am concerned that it is highlyCovid rules
A new study from the University of Bristol suggests that non-Covid infections accounted for 55% of his respiratory-related hospitalizations during the peak of the pandemic. I'm here. was placed.
Now that all Covid measures in the UK have been lifted, scientists believe that higher levels of non-Covid respiratory infections will circulate this winter, leading to higher rates of hospitalization than before. is expected to rise.
"Depending on what public health interventions we put in place this year, without restrictions it could actually be worse than last year," said lead investigator Dr Catherine Hyams. rice field. It adds that this winter could be the worst on record, according to a study by the University of Bristol.
"Our results highlight not only the huge burden of respiratory infections on the NHS and other health systems, but just how bad things can happen this winter.
Using data from 135,014 admissions to two large hospitals in Bristol between August 2020 and November 2021, the researchers found that 12,557 had acute lower respiratory disease. (aLRTD).
Of these, 12,248 (98%) of her patients, mostly elderly, consented to participate in the study.
Patients were admitted with signs and symptoms of respiratory infection, such as cough, fever, pleurisy, or with a clinical or radiographic diagnosis of aLRTD.
While in hospital, they said he was repeatedly tested for Covid-19, but not tested for other respiratory illnesses such as RSV or influenza due to lack of testing at the time. said Dr. Hyams.
After performing an analysis of 12,248 hospitalizations, the researchers found that 55% (6,909) were due to infections other than Covid. Dr Hyams, a research fellow, said the team had not yet identified which pathogen was responsible for these hospitalizations, but "now we are analyzing the samples to see what different infections there were. We are working to find out," he added.
Sars-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, accounted for 26% (3,178) of respiratory infections recorded in this study. The remaining 17% (2,161) were due to infections without an underlying cause of infection.
Dr Hyams said it was "safe" to extrapolate the results of the study to other parts of the UK. "Each town or city has its own characteristics and quirks," she added. "But what we do know is that the population of Bristol is representative of the population of the UK as a whole."
Professor Adam Finn, one of the first authors of the study, said: , said:
“Other infectious diseases have not apparently disappeared, despite critical public health measures…Our findings suggest that, alongside Covid-19 patients, non-Covid-19 causing hospitalizations 19 disease rates remain high.”
Describing the results as “very surprising,” Dr. Hyams said:
"We were so focused on COVID-19 and the problems that ensued that we were actually hospitalized with a large number of non-coronavirus respiratory patients. were unaware of it and these infections did not go away completely.”
Dr. Hyams said the number of hospitalizations for non-Covid respiratory said to have increased from to 2021/22. She tries to limit respiratory infections.'
She added: Nevertheless, we have actually seen more cases than ever before.
"All these infections are still circulating, they are still there, they are circulating with Covid. And they are not going to leave. This winter they will rise further.
"Therefore, in addition to implementing public health measures to reduce the burden of respiratory disease and improve patient outcomes, adequate medical care should be provided to care for patients with respiratory disease." Planning and resource allocation are essential.”
Nicholas Hopkinson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Imperial College London, said that without the “protective measures” put in place during the pandemic, “ Both Covid infections and other acute respiratory illnesses will rise again." during the winter”.
He added: Now, the situation is even worse, and we have to face the coming triple threat of influenza, COVID-19 and a cost of living crisis that drives millions of people into food and fuel poverty. ''
