It’s fall and everyone seems to have a bit of a cough or sore throat. It could be just a cold – or could it be walking pneumonia, which has been surging here in Connecticut?
New Canaan Pediatrics has seen an increase in pneumonia diagnoses since school began this fall, mostly in elementary school-aged children. It’s called “walking pneumonia” because it’s a mild infection and may not affect your child’s behavior or activity level.
Pneumonia is a respiratory tract infection which causes fluid to build up in your child’s lungs, making it difficult to breathe. While different pneumonia strains have different causes, the infections we are currently seeing are caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria.
Your child may not develop symptoms for up to four weeks after exposure to M. pneumoniae and the bacteria may live in their respiratory tract for months. Exposure to M. pneumoniae bacteria may result in just a chest cold in your child, with a fever, cough and a sore throat. Your child could develop no symptoms at all. However, if the infection progresses, it can develop into pneumonia which can damage the lungs.
Cases of this type of pneumonia have been increasing since the spring in the U.S. across all age groups, but especially among young children. This increase in pediatric cases is striking, as M. pneumoniae is usually not the cause of pneumonia in children.
Experts are linking this rise in M. pneumoniae infections to COVID-19 social distancing efforts, as young children were not able to build immunity to common bacteria through normal exposure. Here in Connecticut, children returning indoors to school are now closely exposed to the sneezes and coughs that spread the respiratory droplets infected with M. pneumoniae, creating this autumn increase.
There is no vaccination to protect your child from pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae. Prevent the spread of this bacteria by encouraging frequent hand washing, especially after using the bathroom, and before and after eating. When your children are in school, provide them with alcohol-based hand sanitizer so they can also wash hands after recess, gym class and other situations where they come in contact with common objects and surfaces. In your home, wipe kitchen counters and tables frequently and clean bathrooms often. Isolate anyone in your family who is ill and avoid contact with people outside your family who are sick.
Symptoms of a M. pneumoniae bacterial infection can include:
- Cough
- Fever and chills
- Tired feeling
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms that indicate your child could be developing pneumonia include:
- Persistent, worsening cough
- Sore throat
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Vomiting
When your child has any of these symptoms, including a mild cough, do not send them to school or day care.
Call 203-972-4250 to make an urgent appointment with your New Canaan Pediatrics provider. Because this strain of pneumonia is caused by bacteria, it can be treated with antibiotics – and of course, lots of rest, plenty of fluids and your TLC.