Hardly any year passes by without a viral disease catching public attention. Elementary School at TCS has manifested a virus around  30 days ago.

Viruses “live” in us but aren’t technically alive. They can replicate only inside the cells of their host. They live among things we touch in our daily life and can also be spread commonly in the air.

“At this moment we have a 60% of cases, with a mycoplasma which is a pneumonia atypical which manifests itself in children with fever, headache, stomachache, sore throat, and muscular weakness,” said Carolina Correa current Elementary School Nurse at TCS.

The unusually high number of children contracting the mycoplasma virus has caused much concern in elementary school.

“The virus is detected or diagnosticated with a blood sample that is then analyzed, and it is treated with antibiotics from 3-5 days” added Correa

There is little that doctors can do to treat viruses. In most cases, our body’s immune system fights off the virus. In some extreme cases, they use vaccines in order to reduce pain and fight the virus.

“The recommendation is that between the first 3-5 days of the virus that the antibiotic is taken, because it is the phase in which it is more contagious with others, through toys, handles, instruments like forks and spoons,” commented Correa.

Parents of Children with  symptoms are being urged to keep them home from school as a particular strain.

“There is not a way to eradicate the virus because it maintains the particles flying in the air,” said Daniela Quintero current Elementary School Nurse at TCS.

Most viruses are so small they cannot be seen with a microscope. There is no way of fighting a virus but there’s a chance to make it less contagious by making kids stay at home, therefore it causes fewer particles in the air.

“ We have various kids reporting with the mycoplasma virus, but not only here at the school but in Medellin, due to the rain and the retention of water, it creates the proliferation of bacterias and in this case infectious diseases” commented Quintero.

Due to the believed phenomenon that is known as “El Nino”, rain has been abundant in Medellin causing the proliferation of bacterias. Kids trigger the virus inside themselves easier knowing that their bodies are weaker with the retention of water.

“With viruses, the best defense is a good offense. That is why vaccines are so important. Vaccines help the body protect itself.” concluded Quintero.