Ontario Pediatricians Sound Warning Over Recent Province Wide Spike in Pediatric Pneumonia

Call for Parental Vigilance in Knowing Early Symptoms

TORONTO, Dec. 18, 2018 /CNW/ - The Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario (PAO), the official body representing the provinces' 1450 pediatricians, sounded a warning today for parents to be vigilant in monitoring their children—from infancy to teenagers—due to a recent and noticeable spike in pediatric pneumonia across the province.

"Our community pediatricians are seeing a spike in pediatric pneumonia which can develop from a virus-based cold as a secondary and more serious condition. Likewise, pediatric pneumonia can be a serious complication from influenza ("the flu") and we've seen flu cases increasing recently as well." said Dr. Hiro Yamashiro, President of the Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario.

The symptoms of pediatric pneumonia may be nonspecific, especially in infants and younger children.

Acute onset of fever, cough, difficulty breathing, poor feeding or vomiting, and lack of interest in normal activities are common as well as chest or abdominal pain. symptoms. In older children, you may see malaise and headache for seven to 10 days before the onset of fever and cough, which then predominate.

"Because of the spike we're witnessing in pediatric pneumonia, we're calling on parents to be particularly vigilant over the holiday season and know the symptoms. Their child or teenager could be developing more than a cold or the flu and if they know the signs, they will be more alert to having them seen by a physician."  he said.

Early diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia is key because it can lead to hospitalization and even death in some cases. The only way to know for sure if a child has pneumonia is to see a doctor.

"Because of the time of the season with an abundance of close contact with people at functions, family gatherings and travel, there can be an increased prospect of someone infecting others with a flu virus when they themselves don't even know they're ill. As such, the current increase in flu-induced pediatric pneumonia may continue to rise and not dissipate until the end of January 2019," concluded Dr. Yamashiro.

For the news release, a list of possible symptoms of pediatric pneumonia, a podcast that helps explain the causes, symptoms, and potential remedies of pediatric pneumonia visit https://pedsontario.com/News. Follow: @PedsOntario.

SOURCE Pediatricians Alliance of Ontario

To request an interview with Dr. Hiro Yamashiro: [email protected] or 647 244-4087