All the truth about post-pulmonary virus – “We may have HMPV in Greece, but we don’t know it”

On alert is the global scientific community as images of the overloaded into patients who are suffering with human metapulmonary virus flock. With still fresh memories of the coronavirus pandemic, health authorities’ interest is again focused on China and the new spread of human post-pulmonary virus (HMPV), which seems to affect mainly children in the northern regions of the country by filling hospitals. CORVERSE As respiratory diseases are increasing alarmingly in the region, there are reports of a large spread of HMPV, but it is a common respiratory system virus known to scientists for over two and a half decades. There is no way that this virus is aware of an outbreak along with the other seasonal viruses and in our country, as the Pneumonologists say in iatropedia.gr, but we do not adequately monitor its diaspora and thus have no picture. However, although post-pulmonary HMPV has recently hit several Asian countries, Chinese health officials, but also the World Health Organization (WHO) have not declared an emergency situation at this stage. CORVERSE However, the outbreak of the disease concerns its true dimension, while Greek scientists are concerned. Iatropedia.gr addressed the Pneumonialogist of the Hospital “Soteria” and president of the Association of Pneumonialogists of Greece, Dr. Mata Tsikrica, who is reassuring about the situation in China, however, on this occasion, brings to light another important problem for our country: That of poor respiratory monitoring. Mata Chicrica: “We may have HMPV too, but we don’t know it” As Mrs. Chikrica says, the situation in China is not unprecedented. It reflects an seasonal outbreak of respiratory viruses, which is more systematically monitored there than in other countries. “The post-pulmonary virus is a common respiratory virus, which has been with us for about 25 years. It’s nothing new. There is also in Greece, but unfortunately we cannot diagnose him adequately,” says Dr. Tsikrica, explaining that the lack of diagnostic means in our country limits the understanding and surveillance of such viruses. In China, the outbreak of post-pulmonary virus is associated with overpopulation and climatic conditions, as it says: “China has always shown increased approaches to hospitals in winter, due to its large population and its particular climatic conditions. The difference is that China has the means to diagnose these viruses quickly and accurately. In another proportion, as we have increased infections at this time, so has China. The difference is that because the country has a very bad history with COVID-19, it is everything in the “microscope” and any increased movement mobilizes everyone. And who does he mobilize? The Chinese themselves. They send messages to the rest of the world, fearing that something may be hidden and that we can go through the same thing we went through with COVID-19′′, explains the doctor. HMPV post-pulmonary virus: The lack of surveillance in Greece And if the powerful surveillance system allows the Chinese to identify immediately the outbreak virus, in Greece we do not have the same means, the doctor adds. The EOB is limited to recording flu and COVID-19 through the SENTIMENT surveillance system, while it does not have sufficient data for other viruses. “The speed at which the Chinese reached the conclusion about post-pulmonary virus is impressive. Instead, in Greece we cannot diagnose such viruses because special tests are expensive, and hospitals try to limit their budget,” he says. In fact, as the Pneumonologist points out, some of our increased cases in hospitals are related to cases of human post-pulmonary virus: “And post-pulmonary virus can be, or could be parafluenza, which we also do not diagnose. Along with the flu we could also see other viruses. We know that, but we do not test for other viruses. For example, one patient may have a “heavy” clinical picture and have pneumonia and flu together. We have no way at the hospital to diagnose the lung cancer from the urine, so how should we know it?”, the doctor notes. The incomplete picture of the actual spread of infections results in doctors themselves not having sufficient data to know which pathogen they have against them each time, says Dr. Chikrica. “Even for the respiratory systolic virus (RSV) for which the global medical community has been very sensitive in recent years, I am sure that in all hospitals they cannot diagnose it. The problem is how we try to detect diaspora every time with international literature. So what do we say? If my next country has about “so much” and my next country has about “so much”, then with the mobility that there is and I am there. That is why we are all talking in the literature because there is no other data, that is, more specifically,” he notes. The importance of documentation There is a need for better surveillance and recording, because difficult times come, adds the expert: “Climate change will mainly burden the respiratory system. Also, we have a ageing population and thirdly we have a system of health old, better to say old and to its limits. So we’re not ready for the next pandemic, you don’t have to be a doctor to understand, So the strategy and organization even in the “materials” of health should change,” he adds. The lack of accurate data on infections in Greece even creates trust problems between citizens and doctors, says Mrs. Mata Tsikrica. “If we knew exactly the percentages of diaspora, people would trust us more and be more consistent with vaccination,” he notes. Finally, it stresses the importance of investment in public health: “Each country has its own priorities. In Greece, unfortunately, health investments are limited. This has serious consequences for our preparation for new health crises,” the doctor concludes. By Gianna Soulaki / Source: iatropedia.gr