Local health officials warn about 'white lung syndrome'

SANDUSKY — Local and state health officials are warning the public about an increase in a strain of pneumonia. This particular strain of pneumonia, known as white lung syndrome, describes pneumonia that appears as white patches in chest X-rays. Taylor Kula, an epidemiologist for the Erie County Health Department, said that those susceptible to pneumonia or white lung syndrome include: • Adults 65 or older • Children younger than 5 • People who have ongoing medical conditions. • People who smoke cigarettes Although the outbreak of reported cases has been found in children, Kula said this is most likely due to a combination of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus, also known as RSV. "These types of respiratory viruses normally increase during the winter months, greatly weakening people's immune system," Kula said. The 145 reported cases in Ohio were found among children ages 3 to 14 in Warren County, located between Cincinnati and Dayton. Currently, there have been no reported deaths, and, in most cases, people can recover at home with antibiotics. "While these viruses may not kill children and infants," Kula said, "they do leave these kids more vulnerable to viral and bacterial pneumonia." What is pneumonia? Common signs and symptoms of pneumonia include coughing — possibly producing greenish, yellow or bloody mucous; fever; shortness of breath; rapid or shallow breathing; sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens when one breathes deeply; loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting, especially in children; and confusion in older adults. "At this time, this strain of pneumonia is not suspected to be a novel respiratory virus but rather an increase in the typical cases seen during this time of year," Kula said. So what can be done to protect yourself and others? Kula recommends that parents vaccinate their children, including adults, against viruses such as flu and COVID-19. "It is also encouraged to continue to protect your health by washing your hands, covering your cough/sneeze, cleaning/disinfecting surfaces that are regularly touched, limiting contact with cigarette smoke and taking good care of medical conditions appropriately," Kula said.