10 December 2023 , 11:12
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Seasonal sickness is in the air, but often colds and flu can present in the same way to more serious illnesses which children and elderly people can be vulnerable to.
At the end of November, the Mirror pictures of children being unwell in China as a pneumonia outbreak swept through schools sparked an urgent probe. The scenes echoed the recent past when Covid-19 broke out at the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020.
Chinese authorities have ruled out a new virus, but have since pointed to the colder weather for a surge in respiratory illnesses, including a bug called mycoplasma pneumoniae. Whilst a similar outbreak has not been confirmed in the UK, concerns cases of "myco" have risen in the Netherlands, Denmark and parts of the US.
Children and their parents wait at a hospital in Beijing (AFP via Getty Images)Whilst cases of the infection haven't yet been confirmed in the UK, experts say that there could be an uptick in cases of myco, also known as "white lung syndrome" or "white lung pneumonia" in the coming weeks, so it's important to be aware of the symptoms.
And while many symptoms resemble that of flu, there's one little-known one sign that can appear in children is their fingertips, making them turn blue. adds that skin, lips, or fingertips that "look blue" can signal the illness in children.
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The health website explained: " can range from mild to severe, depending on what’s causing the illness and how healthy you are in general."
Beijing has reportedly been "overwhelmed" by ill kids who have a high fever and a lung infection. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has now made an official request to China for information about the respiratory illness.
Experts have suggested that Covid-19 lockdowns could have weakened immune systems across the globe and the Daily Mail reports Britain could itself see a rise in cases of myco. Myco is a bacterial infection and presents as a flu-like illness, a sickness that children are vulnerable to, Professor Ian Jones, a virologist at the University of Reading, told MailOnline: "As we have a small physical break with Europe we might get away with it this season. The important point is that this sort of "bounce back" should be expected and the public health system should be aware of it."
The Professor claimed the surge in sickness wasn't a new strain or contagion but rather a weakening of immunity in the population post lockdown. He also claimed it was something health care providers and professionals should be aware of.
Pneumonia symptoms
High fever, up to 40.5C
Coughing up greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus
Chills that make you shake
Feeling like you can’t catch your breath, especially when you move around a lot
Feeling very tired
Loss of appetite
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Sharp or stabbing chest pain (you might feel it more when you cough or take a deep breath)
Sweating a lot
Fast breathing and heartbeat
Confusion (in older people)
When children have pneumonia the symptoms might be "harder" to spot.
But they can include:
Rapid breathing
Trouble breathing
Fever
Cough
Wheezing.
The health website adds that symptoms of pneumonia in babies can be vague and they can include things like fussiness or trouble feeding.
Whilst concerns grow in China, Francois Balloux of University College London said that the latest spike in sickness was probably due to "respiratory illnesses like flu, RSV or a bacterial infection". He added that it's more than likely that this being winter since lockdown restrictions were lifted and their immunity to sickness was low so this is probably why China has experienced a significant wave of childhood infections.
He said: "Unless new evidence emerges, there is no reason to suspect the emergence of a novel pathogen."
If you or your child start to experience pneumonia symptoms you should seek medical assistance
According to the NHS, you should call 999 or go to A&E if:
- You're struggling to breathe – you're choking, gasping and unable to speak
- You have pale, blue or blotchy skin, lips or tongue
- You suddenly feel confused – for example, you do not know where you are
- You cannot wake your baby and they feel floppy.