In the focus of the scientific community is the outbreak of pneumonia in the child population of China and the increase in cases in European countries.

The increased cases of pneumonia are associated with the bacterium called mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mycoplasma pneumoniae), known to scientists as a common cause of respiratory infections, which causes outbreaks of pneumonia periodically. According to a recent report by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC), outbreaks of mycoplasma pneumonia occur every one to three years, and perhaps this year, according to experts, may be worse than others.

Its reappearance is monitored by the global scientific community, as in Greece, and especially by pediatricians, as the mycoplasma affects children and adolescents – rarely adults – and especially those aged 3 to 10 years. It causes mild respiratory disease and in rare cases can cause “a common pneumonia, relatively benign that is easily treated with common antibiotics”, he reports to APE-MPE Eleni Giamarellou, emeritus professor of Pathology at the University of Athens School of Medicine – infectious disease specialist, stressing that there is no cause for concern.

Unprotected organizations after the pandemic

The professor explains the factors causing increased cases of mycoplasma pneumonia.

“For the last three years, we have all been wearing masks to protect ourselves from the coronavirus, and especially the children with great consistency. This resulted in us not having influenza, respiratory syncytial virus-RSV, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses, i.e. all the viruses that cause colds with symptoms of cough, pain, runny nose, fever.” As Mrs. Giamarellou explains, “when we took off the masks, we started having a lot of viral infections, especially in children, and there is the possibility of pneumonia, but all these symptoms are benign.” He even notes that every winter viruses circulate and more or less one infects the other and thus the population acquires antibodies, so the symptoms of the infections are mild.

Regarding the rise in pneumonia cases among children in China, he says that Chinese people who have been strict with their adherence to measures to protect against the coronavirus have stopped wearing masks recently and as a result “they are finding vulnerable organisms. They found a children’s immune system that had no antibodies to any of these viruses.”

What has worried him is the escalation of cases, he mentions and even adds that perhaps the information is not sufficient, that is to say that viruses other than mycoplasma are also responsible for children’s pneumonia in China.

Mycoplasma pneumonia – What is happening in Greece

The rise in cases of pneumonia in children in China has brought to the fore Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which doctors have known about for many years. It is between germs and viruses and is treated with first-line antibiotics. The symptoms appear with cough, pain, fever and the infection can develop into pneumonia, but not with a severe clinical picture, explains the professor. That is why, he explains, parents should not panic and be in contact with the pediatrician.

“We are not worried about the situation in Greece. After all, many children have been vaccinated with the RSV vaccine of the respiratory syncytial virus, a virus that can also cause pneumonia and bronchiolitis and allergies, so we are in a good phase at the moment.”

Mycoplasmas in Greece were few, but even if increased cases occur, mycoplasmas are not resistant to antibiotics, Ms. Gamarellou emphasizes.

He even estimates that we won’t have an outbreak, however as he says everything depends on the weather and because it is spread by coughing, a child who is infected can spread the virus to the whole school class, but again we are not worried, we have antibiotics to deal with .

For the situation to balance out, it may take a year, some say even two years, emphasizes Mrs. Giamarellou and repeats the recommendation for vaccination with the flu vaccine, the respiratory syncytial virus, the pneumococcal vaccine, so as she says it will slowly the situation begins to balance.