Unceasing 'Cough Cough'... The disease with symptoms similar to whooping cough is spreading

Unceasing 'Cough Cough'... The disease with symptoms similar to whooping cough is spreading

 

The outbreak of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection among children and adolescents continues to persist. This disease initially presents with symptoms similar to a cold, but the cough can last from a few weeks to several months. The medical community estimates that the outbreak may last about a year due to factors such as decreased antibiotic resistance, and they are advising the use of second-line antibiotics and strict adherence to quarantine and hygiene protocols.

 

 

Re-emerging Mycoplasma pneumonia

 

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria called 'Mycoplasma.' In the third week of June, the number of hospitalized patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia was 486, an increase of 1.7 times compared to 286 in the fourth week of May. Since the beginning of this year through the third week of June, the total number of hospitalized patients at 220 medical institutions participating in nationwide sample surveillance was 1,451, which is 7.8 times higher than the 185 patients during the same period last year.

 

The number of hospitalized patients by age group shows that children and adolescents aged 1 to 12 account for 1,128 out of 1,451 total patients, making up 77.7%. Adults can also contract this disease, so chronic respiratory patients, the elderly, and those with weakened immune systems cannot rest assured.

 

Professor Shim Jung-yeon of the Department of Pediatrics at Gangbuk Samsung Medical Center said, "Mycoplasma pneumonia initially presents with symptoms similar to a cold, such as sore throat and fever, and a cough begins after a day or two," adding, "What distinguishes it from a simple cold is that the fever and cough persist over time, and there is a decrease in appetite."

 

He added, "Even after the fever subsides, cough can persist for weeks to months and may become a cause of chronic cough."

 

Additionally, this disease may be accompanied by symptoms other than pneumonia, such as skin rashes like hives, abdominal pain, vomiting, anemia, meningitis, and encephalitis.

 

Professor Sim emphasized, "When a patient occurs within the school or family, new pneumonia patients can appear at intervals of 1 to 3 weeks," and stressed that "maintaining thorough personal hygiene, such as wearing masks and washing hands regularly, is more important than anything else."

 

The following are everyday prevention methods for Mycoplasma pneumonia proposed by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

 

▲Routine preventive measures for Mycoplasma pneumonia

 

1. Wash your hands with soap under running water for at least 30 seconds

2. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

3. Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands

4. Seek medical attention and rest when experiencing respiratory symptoms

Avoid contact with people during symptoms

6. Use patients, towels, and water cups separately.