From SARS to whooping cough

There is also currently epidemiological concern over whooping cough, a disease that was once thought to be eradicated but is on the rise across Spain. Since January 1, health authorities have identified approximately 20 cases here. Latest news: Two classmates from Cabuñes, two sisters from Aviles and a baby from Gijon were transferred to HUCA this Sunday by the Cabuéñes hospital and are still there The pediatric intensive care unit is under observation because “whooping cough can cause severe coughing.” For such young children, it is recommended to monitor symptoms.

According to medical sources at the Asturias hospital, her condition was “not serious” and it was recommended that the girl be transferred to the hospital in view of the “good progress” of her condition. The Ministry of Health insists there is currently no reason to consider public health concerns. Even so, “routine” analysis of samples from health centers is being considered to rule out the presence of Bordetella pertussis, the bacterium that causes whooping cough.

When respiratory infection is suspected, GPs perform PCR on the most vulnerable patients. Specifically, the incidence of influenza, coronavirus, and syncytial virus was monitored. The idea is that from now on diagnostic tests will also be carried out if there are signs of whooping cough, with the aim of “stopping whooping cough” and that Asturias will not be affected by what happens in other communities.

“Be careful” about enterovirus

In any case, in the samples analyzed by the microbiology service of the Asturian health system, mainly the old coronavirus was detected, and the situation is often complicated for the elderly and patients with blood problems; Metapneumovirus Very common in children, Mycoplasma pneumoniae (the bacterium that causes SARS) is also present in children under 15 years of age. «There is a lot of mycoplasma. The incidence has increased compared to previous years. “Virologists and pediatricians confirmed that their offices are now facing increased medical pressure.

«In addition, we have adenoviruses and enteroviruses circulating. The first one, more or less, is always there. Every second comes earlier than usual,” they explain. “You have to be careful” with enteroviruses that cause classic summer colds, because “they can also cause meningitis, ataxia (sudden inability to coordinate movements) and other neuromuscular problems. ”