But health experts doubt there is anything new or mysterious about the pathogen behind an increase in pediatric pneumonia cases reported in parts of the United States and several European countries. “Instead, these increases may be caused by viruses and bacteria that we expect to be present during the respiratory illness season,” the CDC said in a Dec. 1 report.
According to a statement from the World Health Organization, the rising incidence of pneumonia among children in China appears to be caused by typical pathogens, such as influenza viruses, bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
“We’re seeing many infections that were common before the pandemic but were temporarily suppressed to some degree while we were taking precautions (and during the lockdowns),” said Dr. Beth Thielen, associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School and an infectious disease expert in adults and children. .
“With many of these infections, the natural history is that you get infected, your immunity briefly increases, and then your immunity wanes over a few years, leaving you vulnerable to infection over time until your next exposure. So because of the actions taken With all the COVID precautions in place, we may see a resurgence of some of these infections that we haven’t seen in several years,” he said.
3. It may cause a milder form of “walking pneumonia”
infection Mycoplasma pneumoniae They are most common in children and young adults, but anyone can be affected, the CDC says. Symptoms are usually mild and may include sore throat, headache, fatigue, fever, cough, and sometimes a rash.but Mycoplasma pneumoniae Can cause pneumonia, or inflammation of the lungs, and is the most common cause of “walking pneumonia” in the United States (Walking pneumonia, also known as SARS, is a milder form of the disease that usually does not require bed rest, although symptoms often “Longer lasting,” Thielen explains).
Sometimes, the infection can become severe and lead to more severe pneumonia, asthma attacks, kidney problems, and other illnesses.Among high-risk groups for severe cases Mycoplasma pneumoniae These include people with underlying lung disease, people with weakened immune systems and people recovering from respiratory illness, the CDC said.
Most people recover from infection Mycoplasma pneumoniae No medical prescription required. However, pneumonia caused by bacteria can be treated with specific antibiotics.