"Walking pneumonia" is surging, Nationwide Children's warns
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Nationwide Children's Hospital is seeing an unusually high number of patients with "walking pneumonia" ahead of the typical cold and flu season.
Why it matters: Adults and school-aged children are usually the most impacted, but this surge is also affecting children ages 2-4, hospital chief of infectious diseases Jason Newland tells Axios.
- While uncommon, infection can cause serious complications, especially in people with asthma and weakened immune systems, per the CDC.
Catch up quick: Cases started rising in late spring across the U.S. and have remained high, the CDC warned last month.
- Health care providers aren't required to report pneumonia infections, so data isn't available to illustrate the scope of the problem in Ohio.
- But the CDC does monitor emergency department diagnoses, which are rising.
How it works: Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs spread by coughing or sneezing.
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the bacteria causing these infections — often called walking pneumonia because symptoms are typically milder than pneumonia caused by other kinds of bacteria.
- It's not yet known what's causing the spike or if the COVID-19 pandemic is a factor, Newland says.
Zoom in: Symptoms include a cough that worsens over time, headache, sore throat and fatigue. A fever may occur, but not always.
- A person may be infected 1-4 weeks before developing symptoms.
Pro tip: Not all children need antibiotics and many will get better without them.
- If your child's cough lasts longer than three days or if their breathing is rapid, they should see a doctor, Newland says.
Between the lines: There are many strains and causes of pneumonia, including bacteria and viruses.
- While there is no vaccine specifically for walking pneumonia, pneumococcal vaccination is a part of routine infant shots and is effective against many bacterial strains, per the Cleveland Clinic.
- A yearly flu shot can also help prevent pneumonia caused by flu viruses.
Be smart: The best ways to prevent infections include practicing good hand hygiene, staying up to date on your vaccinations, and masking in public if you feel sick, Newland says.