RICHMOND, Va. — With Thanksgiving just over two weeks away, concerns over walking pneumonia are on the rise.
Health officials say cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae, the bacteria that causes walking pneumonia, have been spreading at unusually high levels, especially in young children — but more adults have also been diagnosed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the worst rates of the illness are in kids ages 2 to 4 years old.
Dr. Sean McKenna with the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU says the bacteria that causes walking pneumonia acts almost like a viral pneumonia, so kids won’t necessarily have the very high fevers or difficulty breathing associated with traditional pneumonia.
However, he notes they may experience a severe cough for several days, even several weeks.
“Typically, we want you out for at least a day or two until you’re feeling better, whether or not you’re contagious is always a tricky question,” Dr. McKenna said. “When you’re coughing, when your nose is running, you’re usually trying to find a way to share that virus, that virus wants to be shared. So, lots of hand washing will help. Masking again, I think a lot of us, you know, we don’t do general masking anymore, but masking is very protective, very helpful.”