The number of cases of walking pneumonia in children is growing. What are the symptoms?

Walking pneumonia, or mycoplasma pneumonia, is on the rise among children in the Des Moines area.

This growth follows trends reported by the Center Prevention of disease control in mid-October. Over the past six months, the number of patients diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia has increased. Scientists say it is usually associated with “walking pneumonia” or acute bronchitis. USA TODAY.

The percentage of children aged 2–4 years diagnosed with mycoplasma pneumonia rose from 1% to 7.2% between March 31 and October 5, according to CDC. Children aged 5–17 years saw an increase from 3.6% to 7.4% over the same period.

Transporting pneumonia patients to MercyOne and Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines

MercyOne and Blanca Children’s Hospital have seen an increase in cases of mycoplasma pneumonia in children.

“Mycoplasma is not always associated with the start of school,” said Joseph McGargill, chief medical officer of MercyOne Medical Group. “This is typical croup or parainfluenza virus season.”

Blanca Children’s Hospital has seen a spike in cases of walking pneumonia for several weeks. There has also been an increase in the parainfluenza respiratory virus, which causes a croupy cough.

MercyOne is seeing a similar trend in adult inpatients with pneumonia, according to Anis Afroz, director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at MercyOne Medical Center.

What is mycoplasma pneumonia, the cause of walking pneumonia?

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterium that can lead to respiratory tract infections. The most common type is bronchitis, which is a cold. Pneumonia is less common typewhich causes a lung infection.

The bacteria are spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

When the infection progresses from a cold to pneumonia, it is often less severe than typical pneumonia and appears as “walking pneumonia.”

What are the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia?

It can take one to four weeks for symptoms to appear after someone has contracted walking pneumonia. According to doctors, symptoms may persist for several weeks. CDC. Some infected people have no symptoms.

Symptoms include:

Feeling tired
High temperature
Headache
Slowly worsening cough
Sore throat

What are the symptoms of walking pneumonia in children?

Children 5 years of age and younger may experience the following symptoms instead of chest cold symptoms.

Diarrhea
Sneezing
Sore throat
Stuffy or runny nose
Vomit
Watery eyes
Wheezing

How to treat mycoplasma pneumonia?

Most people will recover without medication, but in some cases treatment with antibiotics may be required.

Over-the-counter medications may also help during recovery.

Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases

To prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as walking pneumonia, CDC recommends the following:

Stay up to date on vaccinations
Practice good hygiene, such as washing your hands regularly.
Take steps to create cleaner air, such as opening doors/windows; replacing a central heating, ventilation or air conditioning filter; outdoor activities
Take precautions, such as social distancing from others for at least five days and wearing a mask when around others.

If you think you or someone you know may be infected with mycoplasma pneumonia, contact your doctor.

Kate Keeley is a general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Contact her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.