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| dr. Thahri Iskandar Sp.P (Photo: Special) |
In November 2023, the Jakarta Health Department reported three cases of children who were infected with Mycoplasma pneumonia. This incident has caused panic among the public, recalling the bad memories of the repercussions caused by COVID-19 a few years ago. Observing this phenomenon, Dr. Thahri Iskandar Sp.P, a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), spoke up.
According to him, after the COVID-19 cases subsided, people began to neglect healthy living habits. They seemed indifferent to wearing masks and disregarded personal hygiene practices like regular handwashing and maintaining distance. This is the primary reason for bacteria thriving in the surrounding environment.
"Pneumonia is a disease that has existed for a long time, even before COVID-19, and is not mysterious. Its causes and treatments are clear, unlike COVID-19," said Dr. Thahri.
Fundamentally, Mycoplasma pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue caused by microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. Generally, this type of pneumonia affects children. This occurs because children's immune systems are not yet stable and differ from those of adults. Some symptoms include fever, sore throat, difficulty breathing, cough, muscle pain, dizziness, and weakness in children. It can be accompanied by diarrhea.
"It should be noted that this pneumonia is contagious, so adults exposed to it must maintain distance from children and keep the environment clean," he emphasized.
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Dr. Thahri continued, stating that maintaining a clean environment is one preventive measure against this disease. A dirty environment fosters the growth and development of many bacteria, eventually weakening the human immune system, especially in children. Healthy lifestyle habits such as adequate sleep, nutritious and protein-rich food, and regular exercise can significantly affect one's immune system.
"There's no need for the public to panic. If a child begins to experience symptoms as mentioned above, try to take them to a doctor and avoid making assumptions, especially if the symptoms persist for over a week," he concluded. (rin/wil/fajr)
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