NearExpect,Pneumonia cases among children have begun to surge in parts of Massachusetts and Ohio.
Reports have been reported in the Warren, Ohio, area since August.142 cases of "white lung syndrome" in children(white lung syndrome) cases, a number local health officials described as "extremely high."
The average age of affected children is 8 years old, with the youngest being 3 years old.
The patient tested positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (a bacterial lung infection), Streptococcus and adenovirus (a benign respiratory infection), the Ohio Department of Health said.
During the same period,In western Massachusetts, hospitals report large number of atypical walking pneumonia, a milder form of pneumonia caused by a mix of bacterial and viral infections.
Neither of the outbreaks in the above two regions were caused by new pathogens, nor were all pneumonia cases caused by the same infection.
Experts say the simultaneous emergence of multiple seasonal bacteria and viruses is putting pressure on hospitals.
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Ohio is currently investigating the cause of this wave of pneumonia.Many California parents have also discovered that their children have been catching more colds in kindergarten recently.
Doctors in Massachusetts report that a large number of young children are suffering from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Electron micrograph of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).Picture from FOX NEWS
In addition, doctors are seeing symptoms of walking pneumonia and even a combination of RSV and other respiratory illnesses in patients.
Pediatrician John Kelley said it's RSV season and most children get better within days, but the main problem is a lack of medication.
"There is no medicine that can cure a condition like this. Once you have it, supportive care is the only option."
He also reminded that according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), parents should take their children to the emergency room once they find that their children have the following symptoms:
Trouble breathing; trouble swallowing liquids; suction-like contractions around the ribs when the child breathes.
Picture from FOX NEWS
Dr. Kelly said there have been cases of children suffering from walking pneumonia.Its symptoms are less severe and are usually accompanied by a prolonged cough and flu-like symptoms.
"Eighty percent of children with walking pneumonia develop walking pneumonia after being infected with the RSV virus first, while the remaining 80 percent of cases are usually caused by bacteria and can be treated with antibiotics."
He reminded that parents should pay attention to the development of their children's disease.But he advises parents to see a specialized pediatrician before going to the hospital, where emergency rooms may be crowded with patients with more severe symptoms.
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but,The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there are no abnormalities in cases nationwide.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections tend to peak every three to seven years, and the disease has not peaked since the 2020 COVID-XNUMX pandemic, the CDC said.
Most infections are mild, but those recovering from a respiratory infection are at higher risk.
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As temperatures drop in winter, many areas in the United States have asked residents to take appropriate precautions during holiday gatherings.
Health officials from different regions have stated,The most effective preventive measure is good hygiene:
On November 11, CDC spokesman David Daigle told Newsweek that the United States will continue to monitor the situation and work with global health partners to respond to the increase in the disease.
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