China and the world are in a state of panic over White Lung Syndrome in children. China’s government is now asking people to start a program of mask, hands, space.
Key Highlights
In an eerie replay of 4 years ago when Covid-19 started spreading in China, a new pathogen of pneumonia called White Lung Syndrome, is now spreading in children causing panic around the globe. Hospitals are starting to be overwhelmed by cases, and the World Health Organization (WHO) has asked for more data. Pictures out of China are alarming, showing hospitals and clinics with everyone in tight and crowded spaces wearing masks, while being told to maintain proper space restrictions, which are impossible in China or anywhere else for that matter.
Areas in the north of the country such as Beijing and Liaoning have been hit the hardest, with reports emerging last week that hospitals are being overwhelmed with sick children.
A common bacterial infection called mycoplasma pneumoniae has circulated since May but is now showing ground glass opacity in lung scans – an indicator of severe respiratory illness.
This is exactly what happened in December 2019 with Covid, with China being at the forefront of Covid-19, and just as the world was watching the outbreak happen in real time, it started spreading globally, leaving people around the world to speculate that this is new virus from China that is going to impact the world with lockdowns, mask mandates, and a variety of measures put in place since Covid to stop the spread of this virus.
Also known as “white lung syndrome”, many parents are deeply worried and are having to wait at least a day just for emergency care.
But China continues to insist that flu and the usual winter bugs are to blame for the latest outbreak, rather than a new virus, and can cope with the spike in sickness.
Oh, where have we heard this before? I remember seeing the spread of Covid-19 in December 2019 and decided then that it was time to stay home, quit going out to restaurants, and mixing with people. I also remember a lot of people thought I was overreacting to something that was over there, and not over here.
But the world eventually saw how quickly it spread (air travel) and they soon started panicking as well. Is this going to be another major outbreak that locks the world down again? No one at present can say. But it is clear that something strange is going on in China. First Covid-19, and now White Lung Syndrome, leaving people to wonder: how many more novel pathogens will China inflict on the world?
The conspiracy theories that could start with this are reminiscent of the same conspiracy theories that happened in 2019 with Covid. It was a biolab leak, it was a bioweapon, it was the Chinese attacking the world, it was a population control measure, and on and on it went. This one seems to be going the same way, leaving people to ask: when will the United States start locking China out of the world?
Local authorities, however, are already being called upon to open more fever clinics and promote vaccine uptake among children and the elderly.
“Efforts should be made to increase the opening of relevant clinics and treatment areas, extend service hours and increase the supply of medicines,” said ministry spokesman Mi Feng.
He also advised people to wear masks and called on local authorities to focus on preventing the spread of illnesses in crowded places such as schools and nursing homes.
But his statement comes after a Beijing children’s hospital told state media CCTV that at least 7,000 patients were being admitted daily to the institution, exceeding capacity.
Same thing happened at the start of Covid-19 which leads one to conclude that China has a serious problem with viruses, some so deadly that once spread across the world it causes global instability, which China seems to favor over locking down immediately and not allowing the viruses they are responsible for to spread across the world. China of course was the last country to lockdown after Covid, and of course they will be the last to lock down over this new White Lung Syndrome.
What is White Lung Syndrome?
White lung syndrome is a term that refers to the appearance of white spots or patches on the lungs in x-ray or CT scan images. These spots indicate a severe respiratory infection that can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, fever, and even death. White lung syndrome has been reported in some COVID-19 patients, as well as in patients with other respiratory illnesses, such as mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection that affects children.
What country is the outbreak prevalent in?
Recently, China has experienced a surge of respiratory illness cases, especially among children, that have shown signs of white lung syndrome. According to Chinese media reports and social media posts, many children have been admitted to hospitals with high fevers, coughs, and white lungs, and some have infected their family members as well. The situation has overwhelmed the health care system, with long waiting queues and shortages of beds and oxygen. Some parents have expressed fear and anxiety about the mysterious illness and have sought help from online platforms or traditional remedies.
What is the cause of White Lung Syndrome?
The cause of the white lung syndrome outbreak in China is not clear yet. Some experts have suggested that it may be related to the circulation of known pathogens, such as mycoplasma pneumoniae, that have been suppressed by the strict COVID-19 lockdown measures in the past year. Others have speculated that it may be due to new variants of the coronavirus, such as the Omicron variant, that have emerged amid the large-scale infections in China. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support either hypothesis, and more research and testing are needed to determine the exact nature and source of the outbreak.
Will New Travel Restrictions Be Put In Place?
The white lung syndrome outbreak in China has raised concerns among other countries, especially those that have relaxed their travel restrictions or have a large number of Chinese travelers. Some countries, such as Italy, the US, Japan, India, and Taiwan, have reintroduced COVID-19 test requirements for travelers from China, or have considered doing so. Others, such as the UK, the Philippines, and South Korea, have said they are monitoring the situation closely, and have urged their citizens to be vigilant and follow the health guidelines. The European Union, however, has called the screenings and restrictions on travelers from China unjustified, and has said that there is no evidence of a new strain of the virus.
What Will Happen Now?
The white lung syndrome outbreak in China is a serious public health challenge that requires urgent attention and action. It also highlights the need for global cooperation and coordination in the fight against the pandemic, and the importance of transparent and timely information sharing and reporting. The world cannot afford to let down its guard or ignore the potential risks of new outbreaks, as the virus continues to evolve and spread. Only by working together and following the best scientific and medical practices can we hope to overcome this crisis and protect the health and well-being of all people.
What Are The Symptoms Of White Lung Syndrome?
White lung syndrome is a term that refers to the appearance of white spots or patches on the lungs in x-ray or CT scan images. These spots indicate a severe respiratory infection that can cause difficulty breathing, coughing, fever, and even death. White lung syndrome has been reported in some COVID-19 patients, as well as in patients with other respiratory illnesses, such as mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection that affects children1.
- Chest tightness, shortness of breath, poor breathing, and blood oxygen saturation of less than 93 percent
- Cyanotic complexion (a bluish appearance), sweating, rapid heartbeat, and cognitive confusion
- Chest pain, difficulty breathing, fainting, fatigue, and shortness of breath
If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. White lung syndrome can be a life-threatening condition that requires urgent treatment.
Is There A Cure For White Lung Syndrome?
There is no specific cure for white lung syndrome, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and complications.
- Oxygen therapy to provide supplemental oxygen to the lungs and improve blood oxygen levels
- Mechanical ventilation to assist breathing and prevent respiratory failure
- Fluid management to monitor and balance out the fluid in the body to keep blood pressure regulated and help oxygen reach the organs
- Antibiotics to treat any bacterial infections that may have caused or worsened the condition
- Antiviral drugs to treat any viral infections that may have caused or worsened the condition
- Steroids to reduce inflammation and swelling in the lungs
- Diuretics to remove excess fluid from the lungs and reduce edema
- Blood transfusions to replace blood loss and improve oxygen delivery
- Surgery to remove damaged lung tissue or drain fluid from the chest cavity
The treatment of white lung syndrome depends on the underlying cause, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s overall health. The prognosis of white lung syndrome varies, but it can be fatal if left untreated or if complications arise. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you have any signs or symptoms of white lung syndrome.
This is pretty much the exact same virus that Covid-19 was, and it has some of the same treatments, and of course, there is no cure for it. So, instead of saying: thanks Joe Biden, maybe people should be saying: thanks China for giving the world another virus that we will all suffer from.