Wow! 1,000 children waiting in the pediatric department... It's chaos due to the flu pandemic, wasn't it Korea?

I'm afraid to go to the pediatrician these days.

The basic waiting time is 2 hours ㅠㅠ

But why don't kids' colds go away?ㅠA children's specialty hospital in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, is crowded with patients and guardians seeking medical care. The photo is unrelated to the article. Yonhap News Agency

 

Herald Economy = Reporter Jang Yeon-ju] Recently in Korea, there has been a sharp increase in patients with respiratory illnesses such as winter influenza (flu). Meanwhile, in China, the flu has become widespread, and it was only recently revealed that a pediatric clinic in Beijing had over 1,000 patients waiting for treatment last month.

 

According to a report by Hong Kong Shengdao Daily on the 10th, Mr. Yang, who resides in Beijing, showed symptoms of cough and fever after returning from a trip, initially thinking it was a common cold. He visited a local clinic on the 19th of last month and took medication. However, as symptoms did not improve, he returned to Wangjing Hospital in Beijing four days later, but after visiting the hospital, the high fever resumed.

 

On the same afternoon, I went to another hospital, but I was told I would have to wait at least 2 to 3 hours in the emergency room, so I turned back. I couldn't receive treatment at another hospital either, so I eventually headed to a children's hospital that offers night care until 9 p.m. local time.

 

Mr. Yang said, "When registering at the children's hospital, my waiting number was 1000," and "After completing the examination and receiving a diagnosis of Type A flu, I was standing in line in front of the consultation room past midnight."

 

The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that over 99% of flu infections in China the previous day were caused by type A.

 

As the number of flu patients in China has surged rapidly, it is reported that there have been numerous cases of treatment shortages due to stockpiling. Recently, in Korea as well, there has been a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses such as the flu, leading to supply shortages of flu medications, cough and expectorant drugs, and fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory painkillers at pharmacies across the country.

 

A Chinese netizen said, "The enthusiasm for purchasing flu medication is as intense as the shopping festival 'Singles' Day' on November 11th."

 

The influenza treatment drug Baloxavir Marboxil 20mg tablet set, sold under the name 'Jofluza,' has been traded in China for 222 yuan (about 44,000 won) so far, but is now sold for over 300 yuan (about 60,000 won) in some online markets.

 

Chinese authorities expect influenza virus activity to peak in the middle or towards the end of this month.

 

장연주 yeonjoo7@heraldcorp.com