Another pandemic?

[davidthecoder]

I have been super concerned about the rise of children with pneumonia in China that has been acknowledged by the World Health Organization and the International Society For Infectious Disease.

The current narrative is that it is being caused by a bacterium rather than a virus. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the name of the bacteria. It seems that a mixture of (COVID/Flu/RSV) + This bacteria could be leading to significant hospitalization in younger people, in addition to 'immune debt' due to strict lockdowns that were lifted this year.

China claims there is no new pathogen detected. A statistically significant surge has also been detected in the Netherlands.

I developed Generalized Anxiety Disorder in 2020 and it feels a bit like deja vu. I am curious to hear what other people have to say about this recent development. I don't have a great support system of people to talk to about this kind of thing, but I will discuss it with my therapist in my next meeting.

UPDATE: I have also noticed that a recent spike in dogs getting pneumonia has also become a problem within the US. It seems it is quite serious with a high mortality rate. When I checked the Google Trends data for the search term "dog cough" over the past 5 years, I see a large spike for searches around the exact same time as China initially acknowledged recent the child pneumonia cases. The pneumonia in the dog cases also seems to be antibiotic resistant and aggressive, according to the American Veterinarian Medicine Association: avma.org/news/oregon-dealin...

I hope that scientists and doctors will look into this connection, because the timing and some of the similarities is significant.

[Yumz199725]

Oh no this is awful 😢😣

[davidthecoder in reply to Yumz199725]

Yeah I am pretty spooked. I just don't necessarily trust them to be honest about any relevant data about what is going on. They have not been honest about this kind of thing in the past, going so far as to silence doctors that have spoken up about new threats that have emerged over there.

It is hard for them to hide the fact that Beijing hospitals are full of children right now.

[Yumz199725 in reply to davidthecoder]

Would explain why so many people keep coming down with pneumonia, ah I hope i don't get it I've had it twice already!

[davidthecoder in reply to Yumz199725]

My sister, who is otherwise fairly young and healthy, recently had a persistent cough for weeks after being sick, despite testing negative for COVID. I thought it might have been a bad flu, but now I am wondering if this is related.

[Yumz199725 in reply to davidthecoder]

Yeah it could be hope she's ok now?

[davidthecoder in reply to Yumz199725]

Thanks for asking, I am not really sure if her cough did go away. People stopped really messaging me after I got GAD, because I think my anxiety made them not want to talk to me.

I am worried about asking her because I don't want them to think I am paranoid.

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to davidthecoder]

Well that’s a shame. People should be more tolerant and understanding. Anyone can end up with GAD at any time. You’re not alone. And thx for venting and sharing.

[davidthecoder in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

Very true, I read that around 30% of all Americans will have an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. That is alot!

I think they should teach meditation in schools and maybe that will lower that number. It has helped me quite a bit.

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to davidthecoder]

Oh yes. And I think that’s the ones that get diagnosed or identify it. Probably way higher and people don’t know or address.

[Teaching in reply to Yumz199725]

Not a good news at all!

[SayNOtoPanic]

ummmm David. Swimming in the same boat as you. Staying away from the news cause the deja vu is not it right now. It’s absolutely horrifying and I truly pray it’s something controlled as is being claimed. But we won’t hold our breath. I hope the WHO is on top of it. Prayers up.

[davidthecoder in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

Always appreciate a supportive comment such as yours. And glad I am not alone in my concerns. I have actually seen that this is being talked about quite a bit now (250k views in a few hours on a Dr. talking about his thoughts about the pnuemonia in China). And around 3000 comments in a short period as well.

I am just really averse to contaminants and also want the kids to be healthy and happy.

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to davidthecoder]

Yes it’s really scary. Especially that it sent that many children into hospitalization. More fear unlocked.

[davidthecoder in reply to SayNOtoPanic]

For sure. I am really hoping that this is simply a result of them loosing COVID related lockdowns this year. I believe the term is "immunity debt" and it can occur when children are not exposed to viruses for an extended duration of time, which can actually benefit the child by boosting their immune system naturally.

Unfortunately since the Netherlands is also experiencing a spike, that makes it a bit less likely that this is just due to recently relaxed COVID preventions in China, I would think. But I am not an expert on such things.

[SayNOtoPanic in reply to davidthecoder]

Yes you have very valid points on the reasoning why there could be an increase of circulating germs. We just have to pray it stays under control and try not to over watch the news so we don’t go down the rabbit hole of anxiety on max status. Thx for sharing and discussing. God speed good. 🙏🏻

[Thurlesy]

Surely WHO and the like are all watching this like crazy. I suppose there is as you say a great "immune debt" present in the child population. O hopefully it is not a new pathogen. Thank you for bringing our attention to it. It is so difficult to watch things unfold when we are powerless to control it.

[davidthecoder in reply to Thurlesy]

Very true. I feel the only thing I can do is hope that this turns out to be something that doesn't become a big issue and ends up being totally manageable.

And yeah, the WHO is monitoring this and I heard about it through the International Society for Infectious Diseases.

Something I find odd is that despite it being known that Beijing hospitals are full, China claims there have been 0 deaths (last I heard). I am skeptical of that personally, but if true, that is wonderful. I really have a hard time believing them, but it would be great if they are being totally honest and transparent here.

[MadBunny]

Just to let you know I share your concerns, too. Let's hope our fears are unfounded, but after what happened with covid, I can't help but worry.

[punkster]

Hello David, from a fellow sufferer of health anxiety as well as general anxiety disorder. After several years of therapy, I have adopted the adage "don't borrow trouble". In the past few decades there have been several nasty highly contagious diseases that have reared their ugly heads in other parts of the world and and they never spread beyond the borders of one country. If the disease is caused by a bacteria, it could be treated by antibiotics, unless it is antibiotic resistant. I would stop checking the news. I had to stop reading up on everything, and it has helped me. I keep telling myself that I don't want to ruin the rest of my life worrying about diseases and what could happen. Meditation helps, and learning mindfulness. I pray that you can find peace.

[Hidden]

Apparently, the Covid virus is returning in a mutated form, although it is not clear how extensive this is. There isn't a whole lot of talked about it and most people in the United States seem to think that the pandemic is over and that they don't have to do anything.

The best things that you can do at this point hour to get a booster vaccination for Covid as well as pneumonia and possibly RSV. In addition, wear a mask when you go out. You will be one of the few people wearing a mask, but it is actually a good idea.

Unfortunately, this is not the last pandemic we will experience. There have been many pandemics and plagues over the millennia. It is a cause for concern and you have to take care of yourself, but you still have to live your life.