A concerning development occurred last night when a 40-year-old woman, in critical condition due to a flu complication, was transferred to the emergency room. Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, the medical team was unable to save her, and she was pronounced dead. The hospital expresses its condolences to her family.
As of today, Soroka is treating 40 patients hospitalized for respiratory viral illnesses. Two individuals are in particularly critical condition in the internal intensive care unit (ICU). One patient, a man in his 50s with no underlying health issues, is on an ECMO machine—a life-saving device that takes over the heart and lung function—due to severe flu complications. Another patient is intubated and also in critical condition.
Dr. Uri Galanta, Senior Physician in Soroka's Internal Intensive Care Unit and Director of the ECMO Service, emphasized the importance of influenza vaccination in preventing such extreme conditions. He noted that in the past two weeks, five patients with flu-related complications have been admitted to the ICU, most of them young adults aged 20 to 50. These complications can affect the respiratory or cardiac systems, sometimes necessitating the use of ECMO.
Prof. Lior Neshar, Director of the Institute for Infectious Diseases at Soroka, added that winter typically sees an uptick in respiratory illnesses, particularly influenza. He stressed that the flu is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, especially in vulnerable populations. As part of an early detection initiative for flu and COVID-19, the hospital is conducting rapid nasal swab tests on patients in the emergency department, allowing for quick diagnosis and treatment. This approach, using specialized equipment to deliver rapid results, helps prevent complications by enabling timely interventions.
In addition, the hospital's spokesperson, Sharon Edri, shared the tragic news of the flu-related death and highlighted the current situation in the hospital. At Rambam Hospital, the emergency room is operating at over 200% capacity, and internal departments are at 105% capacity, primarily due to severe respiratory illnesses like the flu and pneumonia.
As the flu season intensifies, medical professionals urge individuals to get vaccinated and seek medical attention if they experience worsening symptoms or difficulty breathing.
0 Comments