What is white lung syndrome?

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Overview:

An outbreak of a respiratory illness in northern China and Ohio in the US — the White Lung Syndrome as people are calling it — has sparked speculation online of a new pandemic threat after COVID-19.

About White lung syndrome

  • It originates from distinctive white patches on chest X-rays in affected children.
  • The term includes various respiratory illnesses like acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, and silica-related conditions.
  • Causes: It is believed to be caused by a combination of bacterial, viral, and environmental factors.
  • Signs and symptoms
    • The patients have symptoms including cough, fever, runny nose, phlegm pileup in sinuses, difficulty breathing and fatigue. 
  • Treatment
    • The treatment is mainly focused on addressing the symptoms of pneumonia and ensuring the respiratory health of the patients.
    • Medicines are given to alleviate symptoms like cough and fever. Overall monitoring must be done and oxygen therapy provided if necessary.

Other lungs related infections

  • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious lung condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the air sacs in the lungs. This makes it difficult to breathe. ARDS can be caused by a variety of factors, including pneumonia, sepsis, and trauma.
  • Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare lung disease that is caused by deposits of calcium in the air sacs of the lungs. This can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.
  • Silicosis is a lung disease that is caused by inhaling silica dust. Silica dust is found in sand, stone, and other materials. Silicosis can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain.

Q1) What is Polysaccharide Conjugate Vaccine?

It is used for active immunization against invasive disease and pneumonia caused by “Streptococcus pneumonia” in infants. This is the first indigenously developed vaccine in the field of pneumonia. The vaccine has been developed by Serum Institute of India, Pune. 

Source: What is white lung syndrome? Signs, symptoms and preventive measures of mystery pneumonia