“Walking pneumonia” is becoming more common in children!

Did you know that cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia – the bacteria that causes so-called “walking pneumonia” – are growing rapidly, especially among the youngest?

“Walking pneumonia” is called that because it usually has a milder course than other forms of pneumonia. The symptoms are mild enough that the child can function normally, although they experience some discomfort.

The most characteristic symptom is a long-lasting cough, which is dry at first, but with time thick mucus appears. Children often start with a fever, sore throat, and then something like a “chest cold” develops. Symptoms develop very slowly – it’s easy to miss the beginning of the disease.

This is the biggest surprise! Typically cases occur in school children or teenagers, but now there has been a sharp increase in cases in children aged 2-4!

Mycoplasms pneumoniae spreads through coughing and sneezing, and the long incubation period (1-4 weeks!) favors the spread in kindergartens, schools and nursing homes.

Treatment involves the administration of antibiotics from the macrolide group (e.g. azithromycin). However, the bacteria is resistant to other antibiotics, which can make effective treatment difficult.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has seen an increase in cases since spring, which means you should pay attention to a long-lasting cough and consult your doctor if symptoms persist.

Source:
Walking Pneumonia Is on the Rise – Medscape – October 31, 2024

Dr Aleksandra Gajecka
Pediatrician in Malta

• Treatment of sick children
• Protective baby and childhood vaccinations
• Health check-ups
• Care for the development of healthy children
• Counseling in children’s physical and mental development
• Online consultations regarding the possibilities of effective diagnostics
• Preliminary diagnostics and referring patients to specialists for in-depth diagnostics
• Issuing documents and certificates needed for nurseries, schools and educational institutions