Walking Pneumonia Surge Hits US Capital
Walking pneumonia cases surge in the US capital, raising concerns among health officials about its spread and impact on public health.
A surge in mild pneumonia cases among young children has been reported in the Washington, D.C. area, according to local health officials.
What is Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia () is a milder form of pneumonia, often caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Symptoms include a persistent cough, fatigue, and mild fever. It��s typically less severe than traditional pneumonia, allowing many to continue daily activities. Treatment often involves antibiotics and rest for recovery.‘#Walkingpneumonia is a milder form of #pneumonia that often doesn't require bed rest. It can cause cough, fatigue, and fever. #respiratorydisease’
"Spread of the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae is fueling the increase in 'walking pneumonia,' a term health-care providers use to refer to an illness that is less severe than full-blown pneumonia, which may cause high fever and require patients to be hospitalised," reports Xinhua.
Nationally, emergency department visits with Mycoplasma-related diagnoses increased among children in the six-month period ending in early October, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Although the infections historically affect school-age children, the CDC noted an increase of 1 percent to 7 percent in cases among 2-to-4-year-olds and a rise of 4 percent to 7 percent in illnesses of 5-to-17-year-olds. Diagnoses for those age groups peaked in August, data show.
Reference:
- Walking Pneumonia - (https:my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15744-pneumonia-atypical-walking-pneumonia)