In the ongoing quest to understand and solve children’s health challenges, The Medical School of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the General Directorate of Social Communication held a press conference on “The Situation of Pneumonia in Children and the Situation in Mexico”, which revealed a worrying increase in childhood pneumonia cases in northern China, This phenomenon has attracted the attention of the medical community at home and abroad.
Dr. Rosa María Wong Chew, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and head of the Clinical Research Branch of the Research Department, moderated the discussion with Dr. Víctor Gómez Bocanegra, an epidemiologist and academic at the Ministry of Public Health, Contribute their experience and critical analysis.
The event will be broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook Live, It started with an alert issued in China on November 22, which ultimately revealed outbreaks of various viruses and bacteria associated with these times of year, But the number of pneumonia cases has increased significantly.
Dr. Wong Chew explains the situation: “When the pandemic arrived, isolation led to a sharp decrease in respiratory viral illnesses. However, after that, with reintegration into society, a phenomenon known as ‘immune debt’ emerged, characterized by an increase in respiratory infections compared to the previous A few years older, due to no prior exposure to these bacteria and therefore lack of precautions, are immune to them.”
Likewise, despite a significant increase in cases, The “epidemic channel” (i.e. what is expected) of respiratory infections is precisely their seasonal behavior. “In our country, October to February is the peak period for upper respiratory tract infections,” Dr. Gomez Bocanegra emphasizes.
According to statistics, in Mexico, lower respiratory tract infections are the second leading cause of death in children under 5 years old, and this age group is also one of the most vulnerable to pneumonia; During the second half of the pandemic, our study in Mexico found that respiratory syncytial viruses (A and B), rhinovirus/enterovirus, metapneumovirus, SARS-CoV-2, and bocavirus were the five most common pathogens; co-infection between them or with other pathogens may occur, a situation that is a risk factor for the development of severe pneumonia.as well as incomplete vaccination programs and the use of biomass for heating or cooking.
Finally, in combination with non-self-medication and the care of a medical professional (during a well-child examination, follow-up of any pathology or in emergency situations), Emphasize preventive measures as a fundamental component of children’s health care, including: use of masks in the presence of sick people, proper hand washing, respiratory etiquette (sneeze/cough into tissue or inside corners). elbows), maintain a healthy distance, avoid crowded places and clean high-touch surfaces.
Author: Azri Portillo