In a context where the complexity of accessing information systems Health state and private are evidenced with saturated guards and professionals overwhelmed by demand, a group of respiratory diseases in boys and girls is a cause for concern on the part of pediatricians due to the extension of the symptoms and the complications that they bring regarding, among which, the development of severe pneumonia (needing mechanical ventilation) is the main one.
But within the combo that for weeks has caused some uncertainty among the medical community of Mendozathere is another question that still needs to be resolved: there are suspicions that there are germs that are not being examined and that although they are part of the viruses that circulate almost every year in the winter season, they seem to have gained more ground among the usual infections.
For this reason, within the framework of Winter Break and when thousands of boys and girls attend events in closed spaces or go out for a walk with their family outdoors, the specialists consulted by decided to share the need to maintain the necessary hygiene and care measures, in order to prevent the wave of infectious contagions related mainly to viral pictures, continue to rise. Just to give an example, remember that in the Hospital Humberto Nottithe percentage of hospital beds occupied as a result of pneumonia reaches 93%; a fact that today is cause for alert and concern.
The virus that causes concern
In addition to pneumonia, which affects babies and younger children with greater risk and severity, the most frequent pathologies at this time are pharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, colds, flu, covid, bronchitis and bronchiolitis; all related to circulating viruses that affect the upper airways of the respiratory system, the bronchi and, in the most severe cases, the lungs. Although professionals have preferred to protect their identity, so far there is information that MDZ had access and that indicates that the virus that causes the most severe infections, in addition to rhinovirus, influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial, adenovirus and sars cov-2, is the metapneumovirus; agent also responsible for severe infections in the lower respiratory tract.
In general, the symptoms – the pediatricians explain – become evident with cNasal congestion, fever, cough with phlegm, and wheezing; that is, they appear in a similar way to the rest of the boxes. However, one aspect that draws attention at this time, unlike other years, has to do with the temporary extension of infections whose symptoms last, in some up to two weeks or more. The truth is that in not all cases, the health system is prepared for the detection of this virus, which is suspected to be causing hospitalizations for pneumonia.
No vaccines for different viruses that are gaining ground
In the Hospital Humberto Nottiwhich receives the largest number of cases in the province and which also attends referrals from health centers and peripheral hospitals to the Great Mendozathe laboratory does not have diagnostic tests to detect the metapneumovirus and the rinovirus. In fact, when it is ruled out that the most complicated patients have any of the other viruses, the tests must be carried out in other hospitals, such as the Alexander Fleming. For now, professionals are cautious regarding referring to a possible outbreak of a specific virus, although they do emphasize that the vast majority are respiratory transmission and contaminated hands. They also point out that while for influenza (flu) and covidfor example, there is vaccinesfor adenovirus, rhinovirus and metapneumovirus, no.
For this reason, from the pediatric areas (which include private practices) they emphasize frequent hand washing, ventilation of the environments, being careful with the disposal of utensils with respiratory secretions and protecting oneself during the days that they appear. symptoms, in order to prevent the spread of infection to other children. Healthy eating and the necessary rest will collaborate, in all cases, to strengthen the body’s natural defenses.
“The child’s airway is small, and they also do not have enough antibodies to defend themselves. The smaller the child, the greater the risk,” the professionals explained, detailing that at the moment it is unknown if the child population of Mendoza is facing an outbreak of some specific virus. For this reason, they warned from the pediatric areas, that it is very necessary that extreme care measures to prevent more boys and girls from getting sick. “A cold for an adult can mean severe pneumonia for a baby”, they warned and mentioned that it is a priority “to detect what virus affects the child population today, because there are more small patients with pneumonia in relation to other years and that require hospitalization due to the need for oxygen”, detailed the professionals. In fact, in the hospital Nights the demand for beds in intensive care is saturated.
