Here are the indications of 'Walking Pneumonia' in children.

 

There have been recent reports of respiratory illness outbreaks in children in China, Europe, and the United States. The Warren County Health District in Lebanon, Ohio, issued a warning on November 29, stating that there has been a significant increase in cases of pediatric pneumonia this fall. The average age of the affected patients is 8 years old, and the number of cases meets the Ohio Department of Health's definition of an outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also released an update on December 1, stating that they are monitoring similar illnesses in children worldwide.

Both organizations have identified mycoplasma pneumoniae as one of the causes of these infections.

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, parents may be concerned about another outbreak affecting children. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, also known as "walking pneumonia," may sound alarming. However, it is important to note that this pathogen is not new, and there are effective treatments available to combat it. Here is what parents should know about this illness.

What is the definition of mycoplasma pneumoniae?

Mycoplasma pneumoniae, as its name implies, is a bacterium capable of causing infections in the upper or lower respiratory tract, such as pneumonia. Pneumonia, an infection of the lungs, can be caused by various factors.

Although there appears to be a recent increase in cases, this bacterium is not new. Unlike COVID-19, which was a novel virus affecting populations for the first time, mycoplasma is a bacterium that medical professionals have encountered and treated previously.

What is the reason behind the occasional reference to 'walking pneumonia'?

Lower respiratory or lung infections caused by mycoplasma pneumoniae are commonly referred to as "walking pneumonia." According to Dr. Ruth Kanthula, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at MedStar Health in Washington, D.C., this term is used because the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumoniae tend to be milder compared to pneumonia caused by other bacteria. Most individuals with "walking pneumonia" do not require hospitalization and are able to move around instead of being confined to bed.

Dr. Elizabeth Talbot, a professor of medicine, infectious disease, and international health at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine, explained that mycoplasma pneumoniae is unique among bacterial causes of pneumonia due to its gradual onset. Unlike other types of pneumonia that present with sudden and severe symptoms, mycoplasma pneumoniae develops slowly over time.

The term "walking pneumonia" has been used for many years to describe this infection. Dr. Talbot also mentioned that mycoplasma pneumoniae and clusters of infections during this time of year are not new occurrences.

However, there has been a recent emergence of the term "white lung syndrome" in some media outlets, which refers to the appearance of a patient's lungs in an X-ray. Dr. Talbot clarified that this is not a medical term and does not indicate a new phenomenon.

Dr. Kanthula noted that there can be periodic increases in mycoplasma infections every few years, and this may be one of those years.

What are the symptoms?

According to Talbot, the symptoms can manifest gradually and may resemble those of various other respiratory infections. These symptoms may include headache, fatigue, sore throat (more likely at the beginning of the infection), fever, and cough. In children under the age of 5, it can be challenging to differentiate the symptoms from a regular cold. The symptoms in children may include sneezing, stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, watery eyes, wheezing, vomiting, and diarrhea. The duration of the illness is often what alerts parents that it may be more than just a common cold and prompts them to seek medical attention. Talbot emphasized that if a child has a fever, fatigue, cough, and is producing sputum for more than a week, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Similarly, if the illness persists, the child's doctor may consider testing for mycoplasma. Kanthula explained that there are two types of tests for mycoplasma that a doctor may order: a blood test for antibodies and a throat swab test to detect genetic material from the mycoplasma bacteria.

What makes children especially vulnerable to risks?

While the statement from the Ohio Health Department said the average age of pneumonia patients in that outbreak is 8 years, Kanthula said that “we typically think mycoplasma causes disease in older children, such as adolescents and young adults.”

She reiterated that “infections with mycoplasma in younger children may be asymptomatic or mild and difficult to distinguish from infections with winter viruses.”

While a rise in mycoplasma infections every few years may be normal, it can feel like a lot of kids are getting sick because the rate of respiratory illnesses in children is comparatively higher than during the pandemic ― when social distancing and masking brought the number of cases of the flu and other illnesses to record lows.“I’ve seen this phenomenon of now kids getting sick as referred to as ‘immune debt,’” Talbot said. “The level of these infections is not out of the ordinary. It’s very consistent with pre-COVID. But in the last three years, we have not seen them as much.

What are the available treatment options?

Talbot emphasized the crucial fact about mycoplasma pneumoniae: it can be easily treated. She stated that there are specific antibiotics available for treating this infection, which can significantly reduce the duration of the illness if administered promptly. This serves as a compelling rationale for seeking medical attention for your child if they experience a prolonged fever or persistent cold symptoms.

What measures can be taken to avoid the spread of infections?

Although a vaccine exists for pneumococcal disease, which is caused by the bacteria streptococcus pneumoniae, there is currently no vaccine available for mycoplasma infection.

The preventive measures for mycoplasma infection are similar to those for COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. Talbot referred to these measures as "the usual": practicing good hand hygiene, staying at home when feeling unwell, and wearing masks when necessary.

As the holiday season approaches, Talbot emphasized the importance of each individual deciding what precautions align with their lifestyle and how much inconvenience they are willing to tolerate in order to prevent these common respiratory diseases.