Surge in Walking Pneumonia Cases: Dr. Marc Siegel Highlights Key Risks and Symptoms
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant increase in walking pneumonia cases across the United States, with young children being the most affected. The percentage of cases among children aged 2 to 4 rose from 1% to 7.2%, and for those aged 5 to 17, it climbed from 3.6% to 7.4% between March 31 and October 5 of this year.
Walking pneumonia, also called atypical pneumonia, is a mild yet highly contagious lung infection. While it may feel like a bad cold or flu, it can still pose serious risks, especially for vulnerable populations.
What Is Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia is a lung infection typically caused by bacteria, viruses, or mold exposure. Unlike full-blown lobar pneumonia, which affects an entire lung region, walking pneumonia results in patchy inflammation.
According to Dr. Marc Siegel, walking pneumonia “refers to a patchy pneumonia, where the pathogen isn’t affecting one specific region of the lung.”
Symptoms to Watch For
Symptoms of walking pneumonia are often mild and can be mistaken for other illnesses. The Cleveland Clinic lists common signs, including:
Sore throat
Extreme fatigue
Chest discomfort or mild pain
Low-grade fever
Mild chills
Persistent cough (often the longest-lasting symptom)
Sneezing
Headache
Dr. Siegel notes that the cough is a key differentiator. Traditional bacterial pneumonia often involves coughing up green, brown, or yellow mucus, while walking pneumonia may cause white mucus or no productive cough at all.
Additionally, walking pneumonia typically lacks the high fever and severe chest pain associated with traditional pneumonia, allowing individuals to maintain daily activities.
Causes of Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia is frequently caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, an atypical bacterium treatable with specific antibiotics. “This is the season for Mycoplasma,” said Dr. Siegel, highlighting its prevalence during this time of year.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While walking pneumonia may seem mild, Dr. Siegel warns it shouldn’t be overlooked. The symptoms are often mistaken for a common cold or flu, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. “A doctor who is not on the lookout for this could mistake it for a different kind of virus,” he cautioned.
Early medical intervention is critical, especially for high-risk groups like young children and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Staying Vigilant
As walking pneumonia cases rise, understanding the symptoms and seeking timely care is essential. Parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals should remain vigilant to prevent further spread of this highly contagious infection.
By staying informed and proactive, individuals can better navigate this seasonal health concern.
