Respiratory viruses spark wave of sick kids at Alberta Children's Hospital

Alberta Children's Hospital has added extra beds amid a surge of children sick with respiratory viruses, which doctors say has once again pushed the Calgary hospital over capacity.

Health officials say RSV is the main driver of this wave.

"It's been crazy. It's been busy. It's viral flu season," said Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician working at the hospital. "We're well over capacity."

He was asked to come in on his day off, on Monday, to help out. And he's been treating a lot of children with both RSV and influenza.

Infants under six months of age, premature babies and children under five who have underlying health conditions such as heart problems and asthma are at highest risk for serious illness with these viral infections, he said.

"The fact that the emergency room is full, the inpatient units are full and the ICU (intensive care unit) is full, just shows that these kids are coming in in all degrees of severity.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) would not answer specific questions about capacity at Alberta Children's Hospital.

In a statement emailed to CBC News, a spokesperson said the hospital is seeing an increase in respiratory admissions, which "aligns with seasonal trends."

AHS said it has added 20 overcapacity beds and 17 surge beds during this respiratory virus season for a total of 178 beds.

"The number of open beds at any site or any unit fluctuates with demand throughout the year, and sometimes on a daily basis, to meet patient needs," AHS said in the statement.

The Peter Lougheed Centre is also treating sick children. Its normal contingent of 12 beds has been bumped up to 18.

"The most common virus remains RSV, with admission rates consistent with previous years. As expected during respiratory illness season, we are also seeing a rise in cases of bronchiolitis, asthma, pneumonia and croup," the statement said.

Dr. Cora Constantinescu, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist, said nearly all children have had an RSV infection by the age of two.

And while many will have mild cold-like symptoms — including a runny nose, low fever, a cough and congestion — young children are particularly high risk for severe illness because their airways are so small and inflammation can make breathing difficult.