The Emerging Diseases Monitoring Program (ProMED) is responsible for surveillance Disease outbreaks around the world– issued a notice last Tuesday about an epidemic of “undiagnosed pneumonia” among children in northern China.
The alarm in the large surveillance system occurred after the publication of Several photos and videos on social networks show overcrowded hospitals and waiting rooms full of parents holding their small children because of pneumonia.
In fact, several doctors at Huashan Hospital in Shanghai tell El Mundo that since October they have noticed a greater influx of patients with respiratory diseases due to the spread of known pathogens and that this coincides with the lifting of strict restrictions due to Covid-19. 19. 19 when there was no hospital pressure due to the use of masks and confinement.
The WHO asks China for information
This ProMED warning prompted the WHO to do so Ask Chinese authorities for detailed information on the recent increase in respiratory disease cases and childhood pneumonia outbreaks and has issued preventive recommendations for the Asian country.
Pending further information, WHO recommends measures to reduce infections similar to those during the Covid-19 pandemic:
- Use of Protective mask.
- Hold distance with sick people.
- Stay at home if there are symptoms.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Take care of the good ventilation.
The WHO issued these recommendations after Chinese authorities reported a rise in the incidence of respiratory diseases following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, which would have increased the spread of pathogens such as the causative agent of the disease itself. COVID-19the virus fluHe Mycoplasmas (common in childhood pneumonia) or RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus).
What is pneumonia?
According to the University of Navarra Clinic, pneumonia is one lung infection what can be caused by bacteria, virus And Mushroom. Anyone can suffer from it and in developed countries it is the sixth cause of death.
The symptoms of pneumonia vary and they depend on the type of pneumonia in question.
If it is a typical pneumonia:
- Cough with purulent or rusty sputum (sometimes with blood).
- Chest pain.
- Fever with chills.
If it is a atypical pneumoniaare rather subtle symptoms:
- Tenth fever.
- General discomfort.
- Muscle and joint pain.
- Fatigue.
- Headache.
- Dry cough.
- No expectation.
- Less severe chest pain.
If the lung infection Is extensive or there is a previous lung or heart disease that Breathing disorder.
In SeniorsThe first symptoms may be less noticeable:
- Low or absent fever.
- Mild cough.
- Behavior change.