Tanya Dutt

Spike In Walking Pneumonia Among Children Raises Alarm Across US- 6 Signs Parents Should Monitor

Walking Pneumonia in kids

Cases of <span>walking <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/pneumonia">pneumonia</a></span>, mostly among young children, are on the rise in the United States. Of late, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued warnings because such cases have seen a sharp increase in bacterial infections caused by Mycoplasma <span>pneumonia</span>e, a key pathogen behind walking pneumonia, over the past six months.

Rapid rise in emergency department visits for children aged 2-4 years with M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia, Journal of Infectious Diseases, September 2018. The number of emergency room visits for children between 2 to 4 years old with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae sharply increased and peaked in August, according to the researchers, who made an announcement on the same. It is concerning because, until now, the bacteria were never heard of as a significant cause of pneumonia among this age group.

So far, till the third week of September, 7% of emergency visits to treat pneumonia among young children were related to M. pneumoniae. Two states, Wisconsin and Illinois, have reported increases, with clusters occurring in schools. Most caseloads are registered in Texas and Iowa. Neurologic and cardiac symptoms are some of the reported extra-pulmonary complications of the respiratory infections. The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported the illnesses.

Experts fear that the situation may become worse with colder weather setting in and higher counts of pollen and mold. The CDC warns that walking pneumonia may spread further, especially when people gather indoors to celebrate their holidays. According to Dr. Marian Michaels, a pediatric specialist at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, "It is too early to predict whether the hospitalization rates will spike with this latest wave. While the scenario brought by this new wave is a worrying scene, I still don't see the same surge in cases".

Walking pneumonia, due to M. pneumoniae, occurs within both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Most common symptoms are:

<ul><li>Repeat cough</li><li>Sore throat or pharyngitis</li><li>Low-grade fever</li><li>Weakness</li><li>Pleuritic chest pain</li><li>Tracheobronchitis; inflammation of the windpipe and bronchi</li></ul>

In more serious cases, a patient may experience symptoms like labored breathing or wheezing. However, more frequently, walking pneumonia produces mild lingering symptoms. It can also happen with rashes, as about 10% of infected children have rashes without severe respiratory symptoms. 

Although the condition is less serious than some of the other forms of pneumonia, walking pneumonia does deserve medical concern, especially in young children. You should be advised to see a doctor if your child progresses to a rapid breathing rate, chest pain, high fever, or a worsening cough. Further, if symptoms persist despite rest and over-the-counter medications, or if your child seems to be unusually fatigued or has trouble breathing, he needs to be taken in right away.

For parents whose children already have respiratory conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia makes the condition worse and may necessitate hospitalization.

Parents should remain vigilant- especially with the increases in rhinovirus and enterovirus, often a companion to pneumonia outbreaks during the cold season.

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Cases of walking pneumonia, mostly among young children, are on the rise in the United States. Of late, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued warnings because such cases have seen a sharp increase in bacterial infections caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a key pathogen behind walking pneumonia, over the past six months.Rapid rise in emergency department visits for children aged 2-4 years with M. pneumoniae-associated pneumonia, Journal of Infectious Diseases, September 2018. The number of emergency room visits for children between 2 to 4 years old with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae sharply increased and peaked in August, according to the researchers, who made an announcement on the same. It is concerning because, until now, the bacteria were never heard of as a significant cause of pneumonia among this age group.Cases Surge Across U.S.So far, till the third week of September, 7% of emergency visits to treat pneumonia among young children were related to M. pneumoniae. Two states, Wisconsin and Illinois, have reported increases, with clusters occurring in schools. Most caseloads are registered in Texas and Iowa. Neurologic and cardiac symptoms are some of the reported extra-pulmonary complications of the respiratory infections. The Illinois Department of Public Health has reported the illnesses.Experts fear that the situation may become worse with colder weather setting in and higher counts of pollen and mold. The CDC warns that walking pneumonia may spread further, especially when people gather indoors to celebrate their holidays. According to Dr. Marian Michaels, a pediatric specialist at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, "It is too early to predict whether the hospitalization rates will spike with this latest wave. While the scenario brought by this new wave is a worrying scene, I still don't see the same surge in cases".Symptoms of Walking PneumoniaWalking pneumonia, due to M. pneumoniae, occurs within both the upper and lower respiratory tracts. Most common symptoms are:Repeat coughSore throat or pharyngitisLow-grade feverWeaknessPleuritic chest painTracheobronchitis; inflammation of the windpipe and bronchiIn more serious cases, a patient may experience symptoms like labored breathing or wheezing. However, more frequently, walking pneumonia produces mild lingering symptoms. It can also happen with rashes, as about 10% of infected children have rashes without severe respiratory symptoms. When Should Parents Worry?Although the condition is less serious than some of the other forms of pneumonia, walking pneumonia does deserve medical concern, especially in young children. You should be advised to see a doctor if your child progresses to a rapid breathing rate, chest pain, high fever, or a worsening cough. Further, if symptoms persist despite rest and over-the-counter medications, or if your child seems to be unusually fatigued or has trouble breathing, he needs to be taken in right away.For parents whose children already have respiratory conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia makes the condition worse and may necessitate hospitalization.Parents should remain vigilant- especially with the increases in rhinovirus and enterovirus, often a companion to pneumonia outbreaks during the cold season.