Walking Pneumonia on the Rise in Kansas City This Fall
Kansas City, get ready! This fall has brought an unexpected visitor, and it’s not a friendly one. Walking pneumonia, which is the casual name for a milder form of pneumonia, is making waves in our community with a significant uptick in cases. And the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon!
What is Walking Pneumonia?
So, what exactly is walking pneumonia? It’s a term that refers to milder kinds of pneumonia that may not make you feel totally down for the count. While it is considered less severe than its more intense cousins, that doesn’t mean the symptoms are always mild! People affected often find themselves battling persistent coughing, fever, sore throats, runny noses, headaches, and even ear and chest pains. Yikes!
A Skyrocketing Surge
According to local sources, Dr. Jennifer Schuster, an infectious diseases physician at a prominent children’s hospital, has observed a noticeable increase in Mycoplasma infections—the bacteria most commonly responsible for walking pneumonia. She mentioned, “We are seeing it both in the hospital and hearing from our community pediatricians that there continue to be more cases.”
Just recently, during the week ending November 18, the hospital logged 16 cases of pneumonia linked to the Mycoplasma bacteria. Dr. Schuster said this number is pretty much in line with what they’ve been witnessing during the past few weeks, stating, “We have had probably 15-25 positives/week in the last month or so.” This spike is a significant jump compared to the previous norm of just a couple of cases each week.
The Youngest Among Us
While it can affect anyone, walking pneumonia seems to be taking a particular liking to our younger population. Though school-age children and teenagers are prime targets, infection rates are on the rise among babies and toddlers across the nation as well. Current statistics paint a sobering picture—about 2.8% of emergency room visits nationwide are now attributed to pneumonia cases caused by this pesky bacteria, marking the highest rate in the past year. For kids under 1 year old and those aged 5 to 17 years, the numbers are even higher at around 7.6% and 7%, respectively.
How Does It Spread?
Walking pneumonia is no wallflower! It spreads easily through droplets in the air, making it a perfect candidate for school outbreaks. Kids often catch it while in close quarters at school and subsequently bring it home, spreading it to family members. It’s a sneaky little bugger!
Prevention is Key
So, what can we do to defend ourselves against this creeping infection? First things first: hygiene is your best friend! Encourage your kids to wash their hands thoroughly, especially after sneezing or coughing. And if your little one isn’t feeling well, make sure they stay home to rest and recover. Coughing and sneezing? Remind them to cover their mouths and noses to keep those nasty droplets from flying around!
What to Do If You’re Affected
While most cases of walking pneumonia don’t require hospitalization, it is wise to stay alert. Emergency rooms are seeing more patients with this condition, so if symptoms escalate, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. Usually, doctors will prescribe antibiotics if it’s a bacterial infection, but in cases stemming from viruses or mold, the body will typically just need time to heal on its own.
Stay Informed!
As Kansas City continues to navigate through this respiratory season, staying informed is essential. If you have questions about your family’s health, don’t hesitate to reach out to local healthcare providers for guidance. Lastly, let’s all work together to bust the walking pneumonia trend by keeping our communities clean and aware!
