Thread by @celinegounder

1/ Ohio is reporting an outbreak of pediatric pneumonia cases.

This is similar to the "white lung syndrome" (aka ARDS) that is being seen in Europe & China.

THIS IS NOT DUE TO A NOVEL PATHOGEN CAUSING A NEW PANDEMIC.

on @CBSEveningNews @CBSNews with @noraodonnell & @megoliver

2/ Lung "white out" = acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)

This can be caused by viral & bacterial infections as well as other conditions.

Before people had much immunity to COVID in 2020, this was how people with COVID most often presented to the hospital.

3/ This seems to be a similar phenomenon to the pediatric pneumonia outbreak in China... but that is NOT to say that they are connected.

It's being caused by a combo of viral (e.g. RSV, COVID, flu, adenovirus, rhinovirus) & bacterial (e.g. Mycoplasma pneumoniae) infections.

4/ If this were a novel pathogen, adults wouldn't have immunity & would also be getting sick.

That's NOT what we're seeing.

Kids are getting sick because they haven't been as exposed to these respiratory illnesses as adults & aren't immune.

5/ Note that viral infections can also predispose to bacterial suprainfections (i.e. infections on top of or subsequent to the viral infection).

6/ What can parents do to protect their kids?

Take action to prevent RSV, COVID & flu – the 3 big viral respiratory illnesses.

7/ Kids are highly UNDERvaccinated for COVID (see most up-to-date data from the CDC below).


Just because they don't die from COVID & we've moved on from COVID doesn't mean COVID can't still be really bad for kids. covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tra…

8/ After the elderly, infants & kids under 5 were the most likely to end up in the ED or hospitalized from COVID vs other groups.

Get their kids vaccinated for influenza & COVID ASAP.

9/ If their infant is eligible for Beyfotus or Synagis to prevent RSV, they should get that, too.

Pregnant women should get an RSV shot to protect their newborns after birth.

10/ Consider wearing KN95/N95 masks in crowded places (e.g. shopping malls, public transportation).

Make use of indoor ventilation & air filtration (i.e. open windows/doors when possible, get HEPA air filtration units or Corsi boxes).

11/ Order at-home COVID tests from and test if there's been an exposure or people have symptoms.

Or get tested for COVID/flu/RSV at urgent care or doctors' office.COVIDtests.gov

12/ If someone has COVID or influenza they may be eligible to take Paxlovid, Tamiflu or Xofluza.

And if someone has COVID, influenza or RSV, they should consider isolating away from others if possible, at least as long as they have symptoms.