As the number of instances of walking pneumonia, which is brought on by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, among young children is on the rise, American health experts are raising concerns.
Since late spring, there has been a noticeable spike in the diagnosis of acute bronchitis and pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Children between the ages of two and four, who have not traditionally been identified as a significant risk group for this kind of pneumonia, have shown a particularly strong tendency in this regard.
In this age range, the bacteria were responsible for over 7% of ER visits for pneumonia at the end of September, a tiny decrease from the over 10% rate in August.
The central U.S. states, ranging from Texas to Iowa, have the greatest incidence, according to the CDC; however, atypical pneumonia cases in children and young people have also been observed in Wisconsin and Illinois.
According to experts, Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a human virus that mostly causes respiratory infections. Although it can cause a number of difficulties, about 10% of children who are infected may also develop skin rashes.
As colder weather arrives and more people spend the Christmas indoors, the CDC has noted a concurrent increase in rhinovirus and enterovirus infections, which is concerning.
According to Dr. Marian Michaels of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, although the numbers are increasing, they are still lower than they were prior to the epidemic.
She underlined the importance of close observation, especially because hospitalizations for pediatric pneumonia have risen by 30% in certain regions.
The symptoms of walking pneumonia are frequently less severe than those of typical pneumonia, which might cause delays in diagnosis.
