Respiratory Infectious Diseases Spreading Mainly Among Children... "Beware of Flu and Pneumonia"

Influenza (flu) continues to be prevalent. As the weather gets colder, the spread of the epidemic could accelerate sharply, so caution is required.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency on the 18th, the number of patients showing suspected flu symptoms per 1,000 outpatients during the 45th week of this year (November 5?11) was 32.1. The epidemic threshold for the 2023?2024 flu season is 6.5, so this is about five times higher.

In particular, the number of flu patients is increasing mainly among children and adolescents. For ages 7?12, it was 71.0, and for ages 13?18, it was 77.0, which are 10.9 times and 11.8 times the epidemic threshold, respectively. The flu epidemic centered on children and adolescents is the largest in the past five years. Symptoms of the flu include sudden fever over 38 degrees Celsius, cough, and sore throat. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary, or it can even lead to death.

Currently, free flu vaccinations are being administered to children aged 6 months to 13 years, pregnant women, and the elderly aged 65 and over. The KDCA urged adherence to respiratory infection prevention guidelines and participation in influenza vaccination.

Recently, the number of patients with Mycoplasma pneumonia, especially among children, has also been increasing. This respiratory infectious disease tends to spread in cycles of 3 to 4 years, and this year is its outbreak cycle. The number of patients hospitalized due to Mycoplasma pneumonia infection was 226 during November 5?11, about twice the 102 patients recorded during October 15?21. The total number of hospitalizations due to Mycoplasma pneumonia from October 15 to November 11 was 627, significantly exceeding the 196 patients during the same period last year. As of the second week of this month, children aged 1 to 12 accounted for 180 patients (79.6%), making up the majority.

Co-infection with multiple types of respiratory infectious diseases can lead to severe illness. Therefore, if infected, one should rest at home without attending school, daycare, or work until the fever subsides and the infectious period ends.