How many people get the flu a day? The numbers are already in the thousands.

The flu hurts the Poles. In recent weeks, there has been talk of overcrowded hospitals, shortages of medicines and long lines to see the family doctor. In addition to the flu, COVID-19 and the RSV virus are also raging. Although the pandemic has slowed somewhat, patients are particularly affected by the influenza virus. How many people got sick this season?

Minister Niedzielski on influenza cases

“In the last week before Christmas, we had nearly 300,000 cases of influenza. This means that on average there are about 40, almost 50,000 cases per day,” Adam Niedzielski explained on TVN24. After some time, he clarified that we are talking about infections and suspicions.

Are we at risk for systemic paralysis?

The Minister of Health believes that influenza cases cannot be compared with coronavirus. Although the number of infections remained at the same level at the peak of the pandemic, it was much more difficult for hospitals to cope with COVID-19. The most difficult situation remains in pediatrics. Recall that about half of the cases of influenza occur in children. According to Wojciech Andrusiewicz, spokesman for the Ministry of Health, children infected with influenza, RSV and COVID-19 must be isolated in hospitals.

Due to the increased demand for beds in children’s hospitals, the Ministry of Health has decided to prepare a so-called pediatric bed buffer, Adam Nidzelski said last Thursday.

Flu symptoms in adults and children

Common flu symptoms include:

• high fever for 3-4 days

• stuffy nose or runny nose

• cold sweat and chills

• body pain, including headache

• fatigue.

Not everyone with the flu will have all of these symptoms.

Additionally, there may be:

• labored breathing

• pain or tightness in the chest or abdomen

• dizziness, confusion, or loss of alertness

• convulsions

• lack of urination, which may indicate dehydration

• severe pain, weakness, and instability

• fever or cough that goes away and comes back

• deterioration of other existing conditions.