As mycoplasma pneumonia spread in China, there was an emergency situation, including hoarding of treatments.
According to local Chinese media on the 21st, the number of patients with pneumonia caused by mycoplasma has increased significantly in Beijing and throughout China since last month, with entire families visiting the hospital. It is reported that the patients are mainly children with weak immune systems.
Beijing Children’s Hospital is operating a 24-hour operation system with 100% more medical staff than before to treat the increasing number of patients with respiratory diseases.
“Mycoplasma pneumonia has accounted for most of the respiratory diseases since last month,” said Li Yuchuan, director of the medical department at Beijing Children’s Hospital. “The number of patients reaches about 3,500 every day.”
Imported azithromycin, a treatment for pneumonia, is selling like hot cakes in pharmacies, and in some regions, consumers are hoarding the drug. This appears to have originated from the experience during the outbreak of COVID-19.
Mycoplasma is a microorganism located between viruses and bacteria. It is a very small bacterium without a cell wall and was first isolated from cattle in 1890. It is found in the throat, upper respiratory tract, and urinary system and is known to be the causative agent of a respiratory infection called atypical pneumonia.
It mainly infects epithelial cells in the respiratory tract through droplets from an infected person. In most cases of infection, symptoms are mild and heal on their own in 2-3 weeks, but those with weak immune systems may be at risk.
Main symptoms include bronchitis, runny nose, and dry cough that lasts for several weeks. Sometimes, as the infection spreads to lower organs, symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache and muscle pain become more severe. In addition, it can cause not only pneumonia but also diseases of the cervical, blood, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems, so it must be treated quickly.
Although it is not a large number in Korea, it is said that infections are continuing, mainly in infants.
Meanwhile, Thai princess Patcharakitiyapa Narenthirateppayawardi (44), who is greatly loved by the Thai people, was infected with mycoplasma in December last year and remains unconscious to this day.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.