Coronavirus COVID-19 - Global Health Pandemic #111

[Sundog]

China pneumonia: Everything we know about new outbreak of respiratory illness​

​

Reports from local media say children's hospitals are "overwhelmed" with sick children, but Chinese authorities say a surge in sickness is a result of known illnesses circulating more widely after COVID restrictions lifted. Here is what we know so far.​

China has seen an uptick in respiratory illness and clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has asked China for more detailed information about the increase in respiratory disease.

Look back to 5 January, 2020, and you'll find a statement from the WHO titled "Pneumonia of unknown cause - China".

It is therefore unsurprising that news of another mystery outbreak has set alarm bells ringing - but a WHO doctor has warned against jumping to conclusions and says getting more information is key.

(...)

What do we know about the mystery illness?

Northern China has reported an increase in influenza-like illnesses since mid-October, compared with the same period in the previous three years, according to the WHO.

Clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children in northern China have also been reported by groups including the Programme for Monitoring Emerging Diseases.

(...)

On 21 November, public disease surveillance system ProMed issued a notification about reports of "undiagnosed pneumonia".

The alert, based on a report by Taiwanese outlet FTV News, said children's hospitals in Beijing and Liaoning, 500 miles apart, were "overwhelmed with sick children".

"Many, many are hospitalised," Mr Wei, a Beijing citizen, told FTV News. "They don't cough and have no symptoms. They just have a high temperature (fever) and many develop pulmonary nodules."

In an editor's note, ProMed said: "This report suggests a widespread outbreak of an undiagnosed respiratory illness ... It is not at all clear when this outbreak started as it would be unusual for so many children to be affected so quickly.

"The report does not say that any adults were affected, suggesting some exposure at the schools."

What has China said about the outbreaks?

Chinese authorities said the rise in respiratory illness was partly due to COVID-19 restrictions being lifted.

(...)

Authorities also said the spike was due to known illnesses circulating, including flu, RSV, COVID-19 and mycoplasma pneumonia, a common bacterial infection that typically affects younger children.

The cold weather has also played a part, according to Chinese authorities.

(...)

What has the WHO said?

The WHO has made an official request to China for additional epidemiologic and clinical information as well as laboratory results from the reported outbreaks among children.

It has also requested further information about trends in the circulation of known pathogens referenced by Chinese authorities.

(...)

China pneumonia: Everything we know about new outbreak of respiratory illness

Reports from local media say children's hospitals are "overwhelmed" with sick children, but Chinese authorities say a surge in sickness is a result of known illnesses circulating more widely after COVID restrictions lifted. Here is what we know so far.

news.sky.com

I wonder if this is the same as the uptick in cases of children with RSV that we had here in the U.S. over the past year or so, based on lack of immunity due to the isolation during the initial period of the covid-19 epidemic.

 

[Sundog]

Experts in the U.S. say it's certainly possible that the surge is due to pathogens hitting an immune-naive population hard, following the lifting of China's zero-COVID policy at the start of this year.

"This is likely to be a cluster of ordinary respiratory pathogens that have all coincided, similar to what happened in the United States last year," Amesh Adalja, MD, of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, told MedPage Today in an email. "However, it is important to characterize these cases, and to understand what pathogens are behind them."

China Reports No 'Unusual' Pathogens Driving Pneumonia Cluster in Kids

Chinese health officials say the rise in respiratory illness is part of a continued surge

www.medpagetoday.com

 

[Sundog]

Netherlands in the news today for similar situation - rise in pneumonia in young children with respiratory illness.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

DH had an appointment with his primary care physician yesterday. He didn't take a mask into the office with him but had to return to the car to retrieve it when he saw the sign posted on the door. They are requiring masks for all patients because they are still treating patients with Covid or those who might have Covid.

I had to have labs done yesterday for a medical visit next week. Very few masks in the Beaumont outpatient facility, and masks are not required. I didn't notice anyone coughing, sneezing, or having respiratory symptoms, so I'll assume that no one in the waiting area was sick - just there for routine lab work like myself.

 

[IceIce9]

Netherlands in the news today for similar situation - rise in pneumonia in young children with respiratory illness.

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio — Warren County has seen an extremely high increase in pediatric pneumonia cases this fall, the Warren County Health District (WCHD) said.

There have been 142 cases since August, which is both above the county average and also meets "outbreak" standards, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Warren County seeing outbreak in pneumonia cases among children

There have been 142 cases since August, which is both above the county average and also meets "outbreak" standards, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

www.wcpo.com

 

[Sundog]

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio — Warren County has seen an extremely high increase in pediatric pneumonia cases this fall, the Warren County Health District (WCHD) said.

There have been 142 cases since August, which is both above the county average and also meets "outbreak" standards, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

Warren County seeing outbreak in pneumonia cases among children

There have been 142 cases since August, which is both above the county average and also meets "outbreak" standards, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

www.wcpo.com

I also read that they are short of amoxicillin for the 20% of children who have bacterial pneumonia. That is scary, why would we have an amoxiciolin shortage? Doesn't the government keep an adequate stock in case of major outbreaks?

 

[Sundog]

Western Massachusetts reports RSV uptick as child pneumonia outbreak hits Ohio

An uptick in RSV cases is happening in western Massachusetts, leading some children to suffer from mild cases of pneumonia, according to a report.

www.foxnews.com

Looks like western Massachusetts is also experiencing an uptick in pneumonia among children with RSV.

And still not winter yet, three weeks to go before officially winter.

Makes me rethink the issue of getting the RSV vaccine as a senior. If RSV infects not only the upper respiratory track, but the lower respiratory track, a lung infection could occur. Will check with my doctor during an appointment I have in two weeks to see what he thinks.

 

[weepingangel]

Also, Massachusetts

Pediatric pneumonia outbreaks reported in Ohio, Massachusetts

Health officials in Ohio and Massachusetts are warning of troubling spikes in the number of children getting pneumonia. The children are getting fevers in addition to a cough. CBS News' Meg Oliver has the latest on what parents need to know.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[IceIce9]

Western Massachusetts reports RSV uptick as child pneumonia outbreak hits Ohio

An uptick in RSV cases is happening in western Massachusetts, leading some children to suffer from mild cases of pneumonia, according to a report.

www.foxnews.com

Looks like western Massachusetts is also experiencing an uptick in pneumonia among children with RSV.

And still not winter yet, three weeks to go before officially winter.

Makes me rethink the issue of getting the RSV vaccine as a senior. If RSV infects not only the upper respiratory track, but the lower respiratory track, a lung infection could occur. Will check with my doctor during an appointment I have in two weeks to see what he thinks.

I know a 70 year old who has RSV and is very sick. He tested negative for COVID but has been very sick for a week with RSV.

 

[Mo Thuairim]

I was in the chemist the other day stocking up on Covid test kits and I saw these 4-in-1 tests for Influenza A and B, Covid and RSV, so I bought a few. I had never seen them before. They will be handy this winter. Last Christmas I was really sick in bed for a week. All my Covid tests were negative and I always wondered what it was. I assumed flu. Will be good to know in future whether it's influenza or RSV, Covid or just a cold.

CordX 4 in 1 test - Covid/Influenza A & B/ RSV Antigen 5 test

Buy Cordx by CordX 4 in 1 test - Covid/Influenza A & B/ RSV Antigen 5 test from our Pharmacy & Health range - @ SOLAS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD

www.chemistconnect.ie

 

[cujenn81]

Ya know, this pneumonia thing is weird. There have been two people in my office (albeit, they are adults) who have been diagnosed with pneumonia this year. My boss had it about 6 months ago, and then another woman was diagnosed with it right before Thanksgiving. Neither of them had typical symptoms -- cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc. My boss went to the doctor because he'd been having random sharp bursts of chest pain. He said they were infrequent and only lasted a second or two, but he went to the doctor just to be sure it wasn't anything serious and then learned he had pneumonia. It was kind of the same thing with the other co-worker. She actually went to the ER because the shoulder pain she often experienced as a result of an old athletic injury seemed worse than usual. They ran a bunch of tests and discovered the pneumonia. Neither had ever been diagnosed with pneumonia in the past. So, this feels way too coincidental to me.

I don't know if either case has a link to COVID. I know my boss had COVID early on during the pandemic, but the other co-worker said she never had it (as far as she knows anyway). It just feels SO WEIRD to me that two people in our office have had pneumonia (with atypical symptoms that went undetected for who knows how long) within a six-month period.

 

[anneg]

I was in the chemist the other day stocking up on Covid test kits and I saw these 4-in-1 tests for Influenza A and B, Covid and RSV, so I bought a few. I had never seen them before. They will be handy this winter. Last Christmas I was really sick in bed for a week. All my Covid tests were negative and I always wondered what it was. I assumed flu. Will be good to know in future whether it's influenza or RSV, Covid or just a cold.

CordX 4 in 1 test - Covid/Influenza A & B/ RSV Antigen 5 test

Buy Cordx by CordX 4 in 1 test - Covid/Influenza A & B/ RSV Antigen 5 test from our Pharmacy & Health range - @ SOLAS PHARMACEUTICALS LTD

www.chemistconnect.ie

I wasn't aware that there are 4-in-1 tests like that. I found this:
COVID-19 + Flu + RSV Test Home Collection Kit | Labcorp OnDemand. This is a PCR test and the cost is $129 plus tax.

"With similar symptoms for all three infections, this comprehensive test helps you determine your COVID-19, flu, and RSV status with one short swab.

It’s easy. We’ll send you an at-home collection kit to collect your nasal swab sample. Use the prepaid shipping label to send your kit back to our lab for testing. The average time to deliver results is currently 1-2 days from when your sample is received at the lab. Our labs process samples seven days a week. Check with your local FedEx for pick up and drop off locations.

Note: This test is not a rapid test—it is a PCR test. Samples are sent back to our lab."

 

[Sundog]

Ya know, this pneumonia thing is weird. There have been two people in my office (albeit, they are adults) who have been diagnosed with pneumonia this year. My boss had it about 6 months ago, and then another woman was diagnosed with it right before Thanksgiving. Neither of them had typical symptoms -- cough, fever, shortness of breath, etc. My boss went to the doctor because he'd been having random sharp bursts of chest pain. He said they were infrequent and only lasted a second or two, but he went to the doctor just to be sure it wasn't anything serious and then learned he had pneumonia. It was kind of the same thing with the other co-worker. She actually went to the ER because the shoulder pain she often experienced as a result of an old athletic injury seemed worse than usual. They ran a bunch of tests and discovered the pneumonia. Neither had ever been diagnosed with pneumonia in the past. So, this feels way too coincidental to me.

I don't know if either case has a link to COVID. I know my boss had COVID early on during the pandemic, but the other co-worker said she never had it (as far as she knows anyway). It just feels SO WEIRD to me that two people in our office have had pneumonia (with atypical symptoms that went undetected for who knows how long) within a six-month period.

Were they diagnosed as having RSV? There is a significant uptick in RSV among children and adults over the last two weeks, according to the CDC. RSV apparentlly is a respiratory virus that also infects the lower respiratory track and thus can lead to lung infection and pneumonia. Health authorities believe it is likely surging due to the immunity deficit with peoplehaving been isolated during covid and thus not being exposed to these viral infections annually as they would normally be pre-covid with society's pre-covid behavior. So with less immunity to fight RSV and other virusess, people are more susceptible to contracting the virus and not being able to fight it off as well as they did in the past. So more people with pneumonia, especially children, but adults as well. Older adults and young children are advised by the CDC to get the RSV vaccine due to the risk of pneumonia.

 

[cujenn81]

Were they diagnosed as having RSV? There is a significant uptick in RSV among children and adults over the last two weeks, according to the CDC. RSV apparentlly is a respiratory virus that also infects the lower respiratory track and thus can lead to lung infection and pneumonia. Health authorities believe it is likely surging due to the immunity deficit with peoplehaving been isolated during covid and thus not being exposed to these viral infections annually as they would normally be pre-covid with society's pre-covid behavior. So with less immunity to fight RSV and other virusess, people are more susceptible to contracting the virus and not being able to fight it off as well as they did in the past. So more people with pneumonia, especially children, but adults as well. Older adults and young children are advised by the CDC to get the RSV vaccine due to the risk of pneumonia.

Good question! I’m not sure. Neither one mentioned RSV but they might not have been tested for it. I would hope they would be, but I don’t have much faith in that.

Remember, both sought medical treatment primarily because they were experiencing pains (one had chest pains and one had shoulder pain). So, a chest x-ray was done for the chest pain and an MRI was done for the shoulder pain. The results of those tests revealed the pneumonia. Because they weren’t exhibiting any other respiratory or cold like symptoms, I don’t have much faith that other testing was done. But I don’t really know for sure.

 

[killarney rose]

Why I never keep sick grandchildren-

a couple we know has been very sick with RSV for 3 weeks and just now getting over it because they kept their infant granddaughter while she had it. They were unvaccinated and knew she had it.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Covid drives hospitalizations across the country as winter virus season ramps up

A jumble of variants are circulating in the U.S., though experts say none stand out as being of concern as holiday travel begins.

www.nbcnews.com

As a seasonal slew of respiratory illnesses circulate, it’s Covid that continues to send the most people to the hospital, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday.

“Covid is still the primary cause of new respiratory virus hospitalizations and death,” CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen said at a briefing for reporters Friday.

The virus is responsible for about 15,000 hospitalizations and 1,000 deaths every week, she said...

I told DH earlier this week that I thought we were going to be very glad that we cancelled our winter cruise. Seems like it's shaping up to be cruel winter with Covid, flu, and/or RSV. 3500 passengers + 1200 crew members can add up to a lot of illness in close quarters.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Last weekend we learned that our Rite Aid closed. When the pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy a few months ago, I read the list of Michigan locations that were closing, and ours was not listed. We were stunned to find out that the store had closed, and no one was notified. I found out when I tried to order a refill, and a recorded message indicated that all prescriptions had been transferred to the CVS on the adjacent corner. We used to go to CVS, but it is not a preferred pharmacy for BCBS, so we switched to the Rite Aid where generic medications are free. There is another Rite Aid that will remain open that is about the same distance from our home, but it is in a direction and in a shopping center that we would never go. DH gets his scripts (free) at Meijer which is a BCBS preferred pharmacy. I will pay for my prescription refill (90-day supply) today but will likely switch to Meijer in the future. We really liked the pharmacists at Rite Aid where we got flu and Covid shots for the last couple of years. The free-standing Rite Aid building is supposedly going to become a GNC.

 

[Auntie Cipation]

Last weekend we learned that our Rite Aid closed. When the pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy a few months ago, I read the list of Michigan locations that were closing, and ours was not listed. We were stunned to find out that the store had closed, and no one was notified. I found out when I tried to order a refill, and a recorded message indicated that all prescriptions had been transferred to the CVS on the adjacent corner. We used to go to CVS, but it is not a preferred pharmacy for BCBS, so we switched to the Rite Aid where generic medications are free. There is another Rite Aid that will remain open that is about the same distance from our home, but it is in a direction and in a shopping center that we would never go. DH gets his scripts (free) at Meijer which is a BCBS preferred pharmacy. I will pay for my prescription refill (90-day supply) today but will likely switch to Meijer in the future. We really liked the pharmacists at Rite Aid where we got flu and Covid shots for the last couple of years. The free-standing Rite Aid building is supposedly going to become a GNC.

My nearest "full-service" town is a burg with less than 3000 people. When I moved to the area nearly 30 years ago there were more businesses than there are now but none were national chains except the Black Bear Diner (maybe even that was only regional).

Over the years a few chain stores appeared -- Subway, a Starbucks "affiliate", a Quiznos that didn't last. Then about 15 years ago a Rite Aid came. One of our mom-n-pop pharmacies was going away due to retirement, the other was pushed out by the Rite Aid.

I was a county library employee at the time, and we joked how Rite Aid wouldn't last in our town, and fantasized about what the town could do with the empty building -- becoming our new library building was of course our first choice, replacing our tiny and decrepit library building.

So I checked with some amusement when the recent list of closures came out, but our store isn't on it. Although with your experience, I will stay alert to the possibility it might close anyway. Although local folks rather rely on it, if the company HQ has a minimum business criteria, it's quite possible our town does not meet their threshholds.

We do have one other pharmacy in our community, attached to our little hospital. Of course people use the Rite Aid as a regular store as much as a pharmacy. I bought toothpaste and a new toilet brush there just yesterday, even though I vowed to boycott the store when it first opened, and I did so for several years, but eventually gave in to the convenience.

And once covid vaxxes were no longer free to the public, I think Rite Aid was the only local place providing them -- I never checked the hospital pharmacy, maybe they do too.

 

[IceIce9]

Last weekend we learned that our Rite Aid closed. When the pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy a few months ago, I read the list of Michigan locations that were closing, and ours was not listed. We were stunned to find out that the store had closed, and no one was notified. I found out when I tried to order a refill, and a recorded message indicated that all prescriptions had been transferred to the CVS on the adjacent corner. We used to go to CVS, but it is not a preferred pharmacy for BCBS, so we switched to the Rite Aid where generic medications are free. There is another Rite Aid that will remain open that is about the same distance from our home, but it is in a direction and in a shopping center that we would never go. DH gets his scripts (free) at Meijer which is a BCBS preferred pharmacy. I will pay for my prescription refill (90-day supply) today but will likely switch to Meijer in the future. We really liked the pharmacists at Rite Aid where we got flu and Covid shots for the last couple of years. The free-standing Rite Aid building is supposedly going to become a GNC.

There was a CVS only a mile from my home that had been there for years. The same pharmacist and pharmacy staff had been there for 20 years, much longer than I have lived here but everyone in the area would talk about the staff because they appreciated them so much.

It was located in a small neighborhood strip mall along with a couple of small local restaurants and a veterinary office.

The Pharmacist and staff were very kind and caring, and were very helpful. There is something very comforting about having a sincere and caring pharmacist and pharmacy tech when you are picking up a new prescription, or have medication questions.

Well, one day a few years ago that CVS location suddenly closed. Poof! It was gone. A sign on the door stated the location was permanently closed.

No one could tell us about the kind pharmacist and staff, whether they lost their jobs or were transferred to another location.

I visited a couple other CVS locations after that but they were not the same. The staff were not very friendly and didn’t seem to care about the customers. I remember one time I had a badly infected tooth and had a couple of prescriptions called in from my dentist. Since I wasn’t feeling well I went to the drive-thru window to pick up my prescriptions and I was told to drive around and get in the end of the drive-thru line again, and by the time I got to the window again my prescriptions would be ready. Well, the line wrapped around the store so I parked and went inside and still had to wait a long time for my prescriptions.

Anyway, I switched to Meijer pharmacy and I have been very happy with their staff and efficiency. I have been getting my flu shots and COVID vaccinations at Meijer too.

 

[angelainwi]

I can't have codeine (or morphine) as it causes severe stomach issues. When I was getting bronchitis annually many years ago, I always had the residual cough that kept me awake for weeks afterward. I also have allergic cough-variant asthma which contributed to the long-term coughing. Allergist prescribed Tessalon Perles that have numbing effect to stop the cough reflex. I took those successfully for a while, but now I just turn to Robitussin DM when I have nighttime cough.

Benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing - WebMD

Find patient medical information for Benzonatate (Tessalon, Tessalon Perles) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings

www.webmd.com

Unfortunately Tessalon Perles do not work for me at all....