Three keys to understanding the new pneumonia epidemic in China

Information about a new outbreak of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in China has raised global alarm about the cause of the cases, which have led to the collapse of several hospitals in the country’s north.

this World Health Organization (World Health Organization) “Formally requested for details on an increase in reported respiratory illness and pneumonia clusters in children,” the Asian giant’s health authorities reported that the rise in cases was due to typical seasonal bacteria and not any “new pathogen.” “”.

For this, database Experts involved in the project were consulted 51st Argentine Congress of Respiratory Medicine, Organized by the Argentine Association of Respiratory Medicine (AAMR), which takes place in Buenos Aires until Sunday 26 November, they give three key points that they believe allow us to understand China is experiencing a new health crisis.

1-Multiple pathogens exist at the same time

Pulmonologists think Laura Pulido (MP 26371), AAMR Respiratory Infections Section and AMR Respiratory Area Coordinator italian hospital “This has been repeated in other countries,” Rosario said.

“There are rumors that several pathogens exist at the same time: bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniaea common cause of pneumonia in young people, adds coronavirushe respiratory syncytial virus and influenza“Experts say that for him, this situation goes two ways.

After ensuring that, on the one hand, “this shows that since the pandemic The spread of the virus is changedand is no longer seasonal”, on the other hand, he emphasized: “This bacterium (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) was found to have a certain proportion antibiotic resistance, because it is a type of bacteria, it is usually easy to treat with this type of medication without much difficulty. “

“A common bacterium produces a beak it must give us a alarmbecause it talks about the issue of antibiotic resistance,” he noted.

Marco Antonio Solis Aramayo He is a bronchoscopic pulmonologist (MN 124242) and Professor of Respirology at the University Private University of Cochabamba Valley, Bolivia. When consulted by this media, he analyzed: “When we say it is a new pathogen, it means a new bacteria that we don’t know about. In fact, it is probably not a new pathogen, but a pathogen that we now know.” “They have changed the information. , giving rise to new diseases, sometimes with similar symptoms but evolving differently because our immune systems lack understanding of these new mutations.”

According to experts, these two clear examples are “ influenza,who 2009 mutation What caused the first pandemic, the current coronavirus, is actually caused by a coronavirus, which is not a new pathogen but a variant of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 “Because of the presence of this mutation, it’s what caused the pandemic.”

In his view, “This is not a completely unknown new pathogen; Pathogen mutations The immune system’s ignorance of these is what gives rise to ‘new’ diseases. “

2-Consequences of zero COVID-19 epidemic

On the other hand, experts agree that “cases of respiratory illnesses are expected to increase, as has happened in other countries after the lifting of epidemic restrictions.”

“The restrictions imposed against COVID-19 are for all viruses, so when they start to spread, this is the consequence,” Pulido said. He stressed that the solution was not to continue restrictions but to implement a series of preventive measures that would keep the pandemic in check. Under the Trace: “At AAMR we have developed a series of guidelines aimed at do not be afraid but for Take care of yourself in some wayssuch as keeping the space ventilated and using masks. For example, people with respiratory symptoms should go to crowded places from now on. Latest vaccinations“.

Meanwhile, Solis Aramayo added: “ Quarantine policy Filmed due to coronavirus, when people return and interact with Common germsthese produce pictures a little more aggressive Because people haven’t been exposed to the bacteria in two years, the immune system is recognizing it again. “

In this sense, he emphasized that “due to Lack of attention to other conditions ——For example, coronary heart disease, tumors and other diseases that have not been observed due to isolation. For example, what is the case in many Latin American countries is that the number of patients suffering from: tuberculosis, “Because of the isolation, adequate counseling couldn’t happen, and because it didn’t happen at the right time, they were already suffering from very serious illnesses.”

Therefore, for him, “it is possible that this collapse can also occur in winter now due to active infections, which is related to a period of not being exposed to germs, and in addition to the presence of some diseases that are not “they have”. During the coronavirus quarantine it is possible to See things.”

3- The particularities of Chinese society

When asked whether the health crisis China is experiencing could be replicated in other parts of the world, Pulido argued that “it’s about a society with very specific characteristics This is difficult to extrapolate to other countries. “

He explained: “While China is characterized by a zero-COVID policy and has had the habit of wearing masks since before the outbreak, the fact is that China has very different health policies and very different populations. They happened there and in It has not been documented anywhere else on the planet.” “In addition, in terms of vaccination policy, their coverage is much lower than countries such as Argentina.” Experts said. “This will compare different populations and different realities.”

For Solis Aramayo, “Possibility of replicating new pandemic or new generations of infections with new strains or variants of known pathogens Always lurking”. However, he stressed, “this benefits from the possibility of bacterial transmission, first of all from person to person – as is seen with COVID-19, which is so contagious that it clearly leads to the collapse of the health system ——But also with the epidemics of the past few centuries, travel possibilities Countries are now more accessible, Promote the spread of bacteria Using humans as hosts. “

From November 23 to 26, at the Buenos Aires Convention Center, The 51st Argentine Congress of Respiratory Medicine Speakers and participants from all over the world were in attendance. Among the topics discussed, Pulido highlighted “Treatment and diagnostic techniques for pneumonia, respiratory imaging techniques for interstitial lung disease, new vaccines, kinesiology and respiratory rehabilitation, pulmonary pediatrics, cystic fibrosis and hazardous inhalation at work Occupational diseases caused by substances”. environment.