Dec. 7, 2023 – How anxious must you be about outbreaks of “white lung syndrome” pneumonia in youngsters reported in Ohio, Massachusetts, and several other international locations in Europe? 

WebMD requested consultants this query, in addition to if the circumstances are associated to the same outbreak in China, what signs are commonest, and what recommendation they’ve for stopping an infection of their households and for stopping additional unfold of this an infection. 

White lung pneumonia shouldn’t be an official medical situation. As an alternative, it’s an indication of pneumonia that exhibits up as white areas on a lung X-ray, and it’d immediate extra testing to see if lung irritation is viral, bacterial, or brought on by publicity to air pollution or chemical substances. 

We requested Vandana Madhavan, MD, MPH, a pediatric infectious illness skilled at Mass Normal for Youngsters in Boston, and William Schaffner, MD, an infectious illness skilled at Vanderbilt College in Nashville, to share their tackle white lung pneumonia.

Q: How involved ought to we be in regards to the circumstances of ‘white lung’ pneumonia reported in Ohio, Massachusetts, and a few European international locations?

Madhavan: “We’re seeing extra respiratory infections which are circulating as a result of it is December and we’re in North America and the Northern Hemisphere. Is that this a pure seasonal spike? It’s arduous to know, however proper now we’re not seeing numbers of any specific virus or bacterial an infection at such ranges which are regarding.”

Schaffner: “Related issues have been seen in Denmark, the Netherlands, and right here in the US. This isn’t a shock. This number of respiratory viruses and mycoplasma micro organism which are circulating are quite common. A few of them get down deeper into your chest and trigger pneumonia.”

Q: What are the principle signs, and do they differ from different respiratory infections?

Schaffner: “There are signs that contain the higher respiratory tract, like stuffy nostril, runny nostril, sore throat, and cough, if the virus will get down into the bronchial tubes. If the virus or the micro organism will get out into the substance of the lungs, it could possibly trigger problem respiratory, or create sputum that you simply’re mentioning that immediately seems greenish or is streaked with blood. If any of these issues occur, if in case you have any problem respiratory, should you develop a excessive fever, chances are you’ll nicely have pneumonia. Please contact your well being care supplier straight away.

Madhavan: ”Be looking out for indicators of dehydration. Youthful youngsters specifically have much less reserve and usually tend to get dehydrated sooner.” Mother and father may put a humidifier in a baby’s bed room or allow them to breathe steam when you run a bathe. In older youngsters, honey in a heat drink will be useful. 

Q: Any connection to related sicknesses reported in China?

Schaffner: “There’s been a whole lot of whoop-de-doo about white lung pneumonia. It began with a report in Northern China that that they had a rise in pneumonia. The Chinese language realized one thing since COVID – as a result of all people was afraid that we’d seen this film earlier than.” Chinese language officers met with consultants on the World Well being Group the place Chinese language public well being stated there was no new virus. “This was nothing like COVID. As an alternative, it was an early, seasonal improve in respiratory infections, together with pneumonia, brought on by quite a lot of winter respiratory viruses.”

Q: How extreme are the circumstances reported in the US?

Schaffner: “There’s a spectrum. Plenty of people, youngsters, and older individuals have milder respiratory infections that may be managed at residence. However annually, we now have to hospitalize some youngsters and a few adults as a result of they do have pneumonia and problem respiratory.” Just a few even must be on a ventilator for a short while, he stated. “The overwhelming majority of parents do get higher. That ought to be reassuring.”

Q: Any recommendation on steps mother and father can take to guard their youngsters and forestall additional unfold of this sickness?

Madhavan: “Hand-washing, being conscious that in case your little one is sick – not going out – and asking if everyone seems to be nicely should you’re going to a celebration or vacation gathering.” Sporting a masks in crowded public areas may additionally assist, she stated. “Additionally be sure your loved ones is updated on influenza, COVID, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines.” 

Schaffner: “I wish to remind everybody that we now have some vaccines out there.” Vaccines for flu, RSV, and COVID-19 can be found for a lot of, many individuals, he stated. “Past the vaccines, let’s attempt to watch out and keep away from people who find themselves coughing and sneezing. The second factor, which can also be robust to do in some households, is that if anybody is sick, don’t ship you little one to day care. They’ll simply unfold it to everybody else.”



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