A bacterial infection known as walking pneumonia is on the rise in the United States, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned.
Cases are particularly high among young children. But what causes walking pneumonia, what are the symptoms, and how serious is the disease?
What is the difference between pneumonia and walking pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a broad term for inflammation of the airways caused by a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. Walking pneumonia is a nonmedical term for a milder form of pneumonia caused by bacterium called Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
These bacteria can damage the lining of the respiratory tract, including the throat, windpipe, and lungs. However, infections are usually mild compared to other forms of bacterial pneumonia. With milder symptoms, people are less likely to stay at home or in bed, resulting in the nickname "walking pneumonia."
Having said that, severe infections can still occur which may require hospitalization.
Is there a walking pneumonia outbreak?
After a prolonged period of low incidence rates following the emergence of COVID-19, M. pneumoniae cases are now on the rise. Since late spring, test positivity for M. pneumoniae has increased from 0.7 percent to 3.3 percent across all age groups. However, cases among children have seen a particularly significant surge.
During this same period, the percentage of pneumonia-associated emergency department visits where patients tested positive for M. pneumoniae increased from 1 percent to 7.2 percent among children aged between 2 and 4 years. This is striking because the bacterium has historically not been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia among this age group, according to the CDC.
An increase from 3.6 percent to 7.4 percent has also been observed among children between the ages of 5 to 17.
Signs of walking pneumonia
It can take one to four weeks for symptoms to appear after exposure to M. pneumoniae, and they can last for several weeks. Common symptoms include:
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever and chills
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms may be different among children under five and include:
- Diarrhea
- Sneezing
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Vomiting
- Watery eyes
- Wheezing
M. pneumoniae can also make existing conditions worse, including asthma, encephalitis (swelling of the brain,) kidney problems, existing pneumonia, skin disorders and blood conditions that restrict oxygen delivery.
While uncommon, serious complications can occur that require hospitalization. Always seek medical advice if you or your child is having difficulty breathing.
How is walking pneumonia spread?
M. pneumoniae bacteria are spread through infected droplets in coughs and sneezes. This can be prevented by handwashing and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Outbreaks usually occur in crowded spaces like schools, college halls, and nursing homes.
How to treat walking pneumonia
Most people with mild M. pneumoniae infections will recover on their own, without the need for medication. In more severe or persistent cases, healthcare providers may recommend antibiotics. However, M. pneumoniae bacteria are resistant to several commonly used antibiotics, and are increasingly evolving resistance to those that were previously effective at fighting off the infection.
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