(Sacramento)
Cases of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma, also known as “walking pneumonia,” have been on the rise in the United States this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The agency reports that from March 31 to October 5 of this year, there was an increase in cases across all age groups across the country, peaking in August, and continuing to remain at high levels. Data comes from the National Syndromic Surveillance Program and bioMérieux BIOFIRE Syndromic Trends.
This year, young children, especially children between 2 and 4 years old, have been most affected, with the number rising from 1% to 7.2% among children aged 2 to 4 years. Children aged 5 to 17 also increased from 3.6% to 7.4%.
We asked Dean Blumberg, director of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, a few questions about walking pneumonia and what parents and families can do to keep their children healthy.
What is mycoplasma pneumonia?
Mycoplasma pneumonia, also known by the non-medical term “walking pneumonia,” is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which causes respiratory tract infections. These are mild infections and most do not require hospitalization, but some infections may become severe and require antibiotics to improve. Both children and adults can get pneumonia caused by mycoplasma.
What are the common symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia?
Common symptoms include:
Fever Cough Sore throat Headache Fatigue
This is sometimes called “walking pneumonia” because some people are not sick enough to stay home, but are still contagious and can spread the disease to others. Complications that require hospitalization may occur, including new or worsening asthma, severe pneumonia, and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).
Children under the age of 5 often have a variety of symptoms, including:
diarrhea sneezing sore throat stuffy or runny nose vomiting watery eyes wheezing
Symptoms usually last several weeks.
Although some people may not experience symptoms if infected, it can cause damage to the lining of the airways, including the throat, windpipe, and lungs.
How will it spread?
It can be transmitted from person to person through the respiratory route, especially when people cough or sneeze. People who live or work in crowded environments are at higher risk of outbreaks.
It may take 1 to 4 weeks for symptoms to appear after exposure to the bacteria.
Who is most at risk for this?
Although anyone is susceptible to infection, people recovering from a respiratory illness are at higher risk of serious infection. People with weakened immune systems and pre-existing lung conditions, such as asthma or reactive airway disease, are also at increased risk of developing serious infections.
Is there a vaccine available for Mycoplasma pneumonia?
No, unfortunately there is no vaccine.
How is it diagnosed?
Testing can be done in your doctor’s office using a PCR test using a nasal or throat swab.
How is this handled?
Macrolide antibiotics (such as azithromycin) are a type of antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial pneumonia, including infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Be sure to take antibiotics until the end, and do not stop taking them just because your symptoms have improved.
How can I keep my family safe?
Many families have never heard of Mycoplasma pneumonia or are unaware that it is prevalent. I advise families to follow these common sense strategies.
Please stay home if you feel unwell. If your child is not feeling well, please keep him/her away from others. Teach children to cover their coughs and sneezes and use bat wings to cover their coughs and sneezes. If you feel sick and need to go out in public, or if you are in a crowded environment with others, wear a close-fitting KN95 or N95 mask. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children ages 2 and older can safely wear masks. However, there are exceptions for people who cannot easily remove the mask themselves or who have difficulty breathing. If your symptoms worsen, you have difficulty breathing, or you cannot keep fluids down, you should seek immediate medical attention.
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