Outside of the Covid 19 Pandemic
Even though the covid pandemic is the topic of every discussion right now, all other aspects of life are still going on. Most other diseases are being pushed to the background during this pandemic. I am someone who has personally experienced how the corona pandemic has affected those with other medical problems. This past weekend, my sister who has hydrocephalus, needed her shunt replaced. This requires a standard procedure, but still is brain surgery. The covid pandemic did not stop her from needing immediate medical attention. Fortunately, the pediatric neurology department at Duke was not very busy and she received the medical attention that she needed. However, due to the coronavirus outbreak, she was only allowed to have one visitor with her, so my parents took turns switching off staying with her, and neither my brothers nor I could go see her. I know many people are not as fortunate as my family and their diseases or medical conditions are much more impacted by the coronavirus. Outside of corona other diseases are not getting the attention or time they deserve so many others are suffering at the loss of resources that have been redirected to the coronavirus outbreak.
Pertussis Today
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a disease that has lost a lot of attention amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Like covid, it is a disease that affects the respiratory system. According to the CDC, symptoms of pertussis include fever, runny nose, exhaustion, vomiting, and violent coughing fits. It is extremely dangerous for infants. It is also an extremely contagious disease that is spread through large droplet nuclei, which is when the droplets shed when an infected person coughs or sneezes are inhaled by a healthy individual and then they become infected. Toxins are then released, which damage the airways. Fortunately, there are vaccinations available.
The pertussis vaccine is often given in a vaccine that also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. According to the US National Library of Medicine, the DTaP vaccine combats these three diseases and is intended for younger children. Older children and adults also combats all three diseases, but instead is intended for older children and adults. While pertussis thankfully has a vaccine, many diseases do not and the patients with these diseases are losing beds in hospitals, funding for studies, time and resources from professionals during this pandemic. For diseases like pertussis that can be extremely serious, patients are competing for the same resources as corona patients, in the form of breathing machines and respiratory treatments. While obviously I want professionals to be focused on dealing with the pandemic, I hope that not too many people suffer as their diseases and conditions are overshadowed by corona.
Sommer's Blog 