Hospitals blame COVID lockdowns for rise in child respiratory issues

SEATTLE  --  As we head into cold and flu season, local doctors say they’re seeing an unprecedented number of kids suffering from serious respiratory issues.

Doctors say much of the problem has to do with a child’s waning immunity, brought on by two years of Covid-related safeguards.

“The immune memory that we all develop by having low grade exposure to viruses, there’s a little bit immune amnesia.  The immune system has forgotten a little bit of it,” said Dr. Indi Trehan, Seattle Children’s Hospital.

As pediatricians grapple with an enormous increase of kids dealing with serious respiratory illnesses, Seattle Children’s Hospital has grappled with a clogged emergency room.

“The numbers are definitely more than anybody’s seen.  We’re hearing this from our colleagues in emergency rooms across the country,” said Dr. Trehan.

More than most people, Rebecca Burris prayed that pediatric emergency rooms would never fill up with kids ever again.

Eight years ago she watched helplessly as her young daughter died from the flu.

“You have to protect the ones you love and I will forever live with the regret there was a preventative measure I could’ve taken that could’ve saved my daughter’s life,” Burris told KIRO 7.

Burris added that she still sends her other kids to school with masks on, which is something doctors recommend.

“Take the measures to protect your children, because we don’t plan on burying our kids, but the flu is real and it is deadly,” she said.

Doctors also recommend that parents train their kids to wash their hands every few hours of the day, especially as flu season looms.

At this rate, medical workers at Seattle Children’s Hospital expect to be extra busy through the entire winter season.

Despite the increase of patients, doctors cannot stress it enough:  If you think your child is seriously sick-- never hesitate to bring them to the doctor.

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