Semmelweis University expert addresses rise in childhood respiratory infections

The increase in respiratory infections among children following the start of the school and kindergarten year is not primarily due to weakened immune systems, according to medical experts. Dr. Laura Kossuth, a specialist at Semmelweis University Pediatric Clinic, explains that the rise in illnesses is driven by increased close contact in crowded, indoor environments compared to the summer holidays.

Changes in daily routines, such as earlier wake-up times, less sleep, and altered eating habits, also impact children's bodies, but the main factor remains the higher frequency of exposure to pathogens. As the autumn and winter months progress, viruses such as RSV and influenza play a larger role.

Experts note that symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue are often similar across different viruses, making precise identification difficult based on symptoms alone. Because these early autumn illnesses are predominantly viral, antibiotics are generally not required and should only be used for confirmed bacterial infections.