Depuis récemment, de nombreux hôpitaux à travers le pays ont enregistré une augmentation significative des consultations aux urgences et en ambulatoire. Parmi les patients, les enfants sont particulièrement touchés, non seulement par l'infection à Mycoplasma pneumoniae, mais aussi par d'autres maladies provoquant des symptômes respiratoires.
Le Dr Lu Hongzhou, directeur du Centre National de Recherche Clinique sur les Maladies Infectieuses et président de l'Hôpital Shenzhen No. 3, a indiqué que, après la période des vacances nationales, les tests de détection des pathogènes respiratoires chez les patients de son hôpital ont montré que le taux de positivité le plus élevé était pour Mycoplasma pneumoniae (34,33 %), suivi par le virus de la grippe A (12,17 %) et B (5,79 %), l'adénovirus respiratoire (2,76 %) et le virus respiratoire syncytial (2,03 %). Il a souligné que l'adénovirus et Streptococcus pneumoniae peuvent se combiner avec Mycoplasma pneumoniae, augmentant ainsi le risque d'infections mixtes, surtout chez les jeunes enfants. En cas d'infection mixte, les symptômes peuvent s'aggraver, ce qui nécessite une vigilance accrue de la part des parents.
Apart from Mycoplasma pneumoniae and the novel coronavirus, which other infectious diseases should we be wary of recently? And how can we prevent them?
1. Influenza Virus
Mycoplasma and influenza A and B share some similarities, leading to confusion among many people. While influenza is caused by a virus, Mycoplasma is neither a bacterium nor a virus but a type of microorganism, and the treatments for these two are entirely different, making it crucial to distinguish between them. According to Dr. Jiang Chunming, head of pediatrics at Hangzhou First People's Hospital, the symptoms of infection differ: influenza A and B primarily cause high fever, sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, body aches, and headaches. In contrast, Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection can be more insidious, with some children not showing any fever or only a low-grade fever, and normal blood tests and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, making it easy to miss. However, Mycoplasma pneumoniae often causes severe coughing and even wheezing.
How to Prevent
Vaccination against influenza is the most cost-effective and efficient measure to prevent the flu, significantly reducing the risk of contracting the virus and developing serious complications.
2. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
RSV is the most important viral pathogen causing acute lower respiratory tract infections in children under five years old worldwide. RSV is an RNA virus that mutates annually, leading to repeated infections. It is highly contagious, spreading through coughing, droplets, and close contact (such as touching or kissing an infected person). The virus can survive on contaminated surfaces like desks and toys for several hours.
Most healthy children infected with RSV experience mild symptoms similar to a common cold, including nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, and low-grade fever. As the condition progresses, severe cases may develop breathing difficulties, rapid breathing, wheezing, irritability, and loss of appetite, and can even lead to respiratory or heart failure.
How to Prevent
All age groups are susceptible to RSV, and there is no vaccine available for prevention. The virus has a seasonal pattern, typically peaking in northern China from November to April (with the highest incidence in January and February). The incubation period is generally 2 to 8 days, with symptoms usually appearing 4 to 6 days after infection. RSV is self-limiting, and for children with normal immune function, mild infections can be managed with home care.
3. Rhinovirus Infection
Rhinoviruses are the most serotypically diverse group of human viruses, with over 120 types identified. They are the primary cause of the common cold, responsible for nearly half of all acute respiratory infections.
Rhinoviruses are widespread, with children being particularly affected. The incubation period ranges from 12 hours to 5 days, typically around 48 hours. The virus spreads through direct contact and droplets, as well as indirectly through contaminated hands and objects.
Rhinoviruses primarily infect the upper respiratory tract, causing the common cold in adults. In infants and those with chronic respiratory conditions, they can also cause bronchitis and bronchopneumonia. Common symptoms include runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion, coughing, hoarseness, and a slight increase in body temperature. Complications can include sinusitis and otitis media. Rhinoviruses can co-circulate with other pathogens such as enteroviruses and Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
How to Prevent
Rhinovirus infections are self-limiting and do not require specific treatment. Rest, proper nutrition, ventilation of living spaces, good hand hygiene, and measures to prevent cross-infection are sufficient. Recovery typically takes about a week. After infection, local protective antibodies are produced in the nasal mucosa, providing immunity to the same serotype, though this protection is short-lived, allowing for repeated infections within the same year. Subsequent infections tend to be milder due to the development of mucosal immunity. Currently, there is no effective vaccine against rhinovirus infections.
4. Adenovirus Infection
Adenovirus infections are most prevalent during the winter and spring, often causing outbreaks in kindergartens and schools. Adenoviruses spread primarily through respiratory droplets, eye secretions, and contact, while gastrointestinal infections spread through the digestive tract.
Typical symptoms of adenovirus respiratory infections include coughing, nasal congestion, and pharyngitis, along with fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. More severe cases can present with pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, and pneumonia. Some adenovirus types can also cause gastroenteritis in infants and preschool children, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even intussusception.
How to Prevent
Dr. Li Tongzeng, associate chief physician in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, notes that adenovirus infections are generally self-limiting, with a typical recovery time of about 7 days for individuals with normal immunity. Treatment is usually unnecessary, and rest and hydration are recommended. However, for immunocompromised patients or those with severe symptoms, antiviral medications may be prescribed according to medical advice.
After infection, protective neutralizing antibodies are produced, providing long-term immunity against the specific serotype.
5. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a bacterium that can colonize the upper respiratory tract without causing any clinical symptoms. It is a major cause of invasive diseases (meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia with sepsis) and non-invasive diseases (pneumonia, otitis media, and sinusitis). Over 50% of common pneumonias are caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Infants, young children, and the elderly, especially those over 65, are particularly vulnerable due to their weaker immune systems. Chronic liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, and immunocompromised individuals are also at higher risk.
How to Prevent
Vaccination against Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most cost-effective and efficient method to prevent pneumococcal diseases. Currently, there are two types of pneumococcal vaccines available: the 23-valent and 13-valent vaccines, which cover 23 and 13 serotypes, respectively. The 23-valent vaccine is recommended for individuals over 2 years old who are at increased risk of pneumococcal disease, with a single dose for primary immunization. The 13-valent vaccine is for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years, protecting against 13 serotypes and particularly effective against invasive pneumococcal diseases. These vaccines are currently non-mandatory in most regions of China.
Durant la saison froide, les enfants sont plus susceptibles d'être infectés par divers virus et bactéries, qui peuvent provoquer une variété de symptômes tels que fièvre, toux, écoulement nasal, etc. Bien que certains symptômes puissent sembler similaires, les causes et les traitements diffèrent considérablement. Cependant, certains parents tentent souvent de diagnostiquer et de traiter les symptômes de leurs enfants à la maison, ce qui peut entraîner un diagnostic erroné et un traitement inapproprié, aggravant potentiellement la condition, surtout en cas d'infections mixtes. Il est donc recommandé de consulter un médecin dès l'apparition de symptômes et de suivre ses conseils pour un traitement adapté. Les médecins professionnels peuvent proposer le meilleur plan de traitement en fonction de la situation spécifique de l'enfant et surveiller de près l'évolution de sa condition.