Every day, dozens of children present themselves at the Pediatric Emergency Department of the University Hospital Center (QSUT) in Albania due to seasonal illnesses like the flu, COVID-19, or various viral infections. Although it is the middle of winter, the situation in the emergency department remains under control. Only about one-quarter of the children seeking care are dealing with genuinely urgent medical issues.
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| Pediatric Emergency in Tirana |
A common concern among parents is fever, which often triggers alarm. However, for healthcare professionals, not every fever constitutes an emergency. "An emergency means the condition is critical or worsened, especially in young children. But fever alone is not necessarily a sign of an emergency. It could simply indicate a viral or bacterial infection, and over 70% of the cases in young children are viral," noted Lama.
Although the pediatric emergency service operates 24/7 year-round, doctors urge parents to initially consult their family doctor when the first signs of illness appear in their children, or even in themselves. "There’s no need to panic when a child has mild symptoms, such as a fever or cough, or is not eating well. A primary care visit should be the first step. Depending on the situation, the family doctor will provide guidance on whether further visits or tests are needed," explained Lama. He emphasized that a cough, for instance, can be linked to many different diagnoses, and fever does not always mean a viral illness; it could be caused by an infection elsewhere in the body.
Children under one year old, followed by those between two and four, are the most at risk for developing severe forms of illness. However, according to pediatricians, viral conditions usually resolve within a week.
In summary, while it’s important for parents to monitor their children’s symptoms, not every case requires a visit to the emergency room. Early consultation with a family doctor is often sufficient to determine the appropriate course of action.