LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. – As winter approaches, we expect there will be plenty of cold and flu cases.
But Lehigh Valley doctors say they’re also seeing a spike in Walking Pneumonia.
An illness caused by a bacteria called mycoplasma.
“We’re seeing also more severe illness. We’re seeing children that have fever for days, we cough, no feeling good, and ending up in the hospital, even in the ICU, requiring oxygen and critical care,” said Tibisay Villalobos.
Dr. Tibisi Villalobos with Lehigh Valley Health Network says walking pneumonia has been on their radar since the summer, but has seen a sharp increase in recent weeks.
One concerning facet of the illness is its prolonged incubation period.
“It takes a long time for the time you get exposed to to the time you start having symptoms. That’s why it keeps perpetuating and happening through weeks a month after the infection,” said Villalobos.
The symptoms can also be mistaken for a cold or flu: cough, fever, shortness of breath headache and sore throat.
The reason it’s called walking pneumonia is because while people feel cruddy, they’re able to continue with daily activities.
All the while spreading the infection.
Correct diagnosis is crucial, as mycoplasma walking pneumonia doesn’t respond to all antibiotics.
“The antibiotic that we treat the bacteria with, that is usually azithromycin, or in other cases, doxycycline or another antibiotic called levofloxacin. Those are all effective depending on the age of the child and whether or not there may be something else going on,” said Villalobos.
Villalobos says hand washing and good hygiene can help prevent walking pneumonia.
And if your child comes down with it, the best thing is seek medical attention and have them stay home and rest.