Colorado is seeing a significant increase in cases of walking pneumonia, particularly among young children, who are not typically susceptible to the illness. According to Dr. Kevin Messacar, an infectious disease specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, the number of cases has risen sharply since spring and peaked in September.
Historically, walking pneumonia was most common in school-aged children, but doctors are now discovering cases more frequently in younger children aged 2-4. This is unusual because Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria, which causes the illness, typically affects older children and adults.
The CDC estimates that 2 million people get sick with walking pneumonia each year nationwide. Doctors say that handwashing and covering one’s mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing can prevent the spread of the bacteria.
Symptoms of walking pneumonia include fever, chills, sore throat, and rashes, with a hallmark symptom being a persistent cough that can last up to four weeks. While the illness is typically milder than other forms of pneumonia, serious cases can lead to hospitalization.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has noted an increase in patients visiting emergency departments with walking pneumonia infections. Despite this, health officials are unsure how prevalent the illness is in the state due to limited testing.
Source: https://www.denverpost.com/2024/12/04/walking-pneumonia-colorado