As cases in the U.S. and Canada increase, local health officials warn of walking pneumonia symptoms. rise

As cases in the U.S. and Canada increase, local health officials warn of walking pneumonia symptoms. rise

Cold and flu viruses are in season, and as rates of walking pneumonia increase in the U.S. and Canada, especially among young people, this year may be more of a concern. Since last spring, the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted an increase in illnesses. Despite not keeping track of walking pneumonia cases, CBC News says that anecdotally, the number of cases is increasing in Canada as well.

A lung infection brought on by either a virus or bacteria is known as walking pneumonia. It is typically quite minor, according to Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum, associate medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health. Prior to experiencing breathing difficulties, you may experience a sore throat, fever, or cough for a while," Tenenbaum stated. "If you're having trouble breathing, it is worth going to see your family doctor or going to [the emergency room] if it's bad." "Mycoplasma pneumoniae, one of the most prominent causes of walking pneumonia, is currently one of the biggest indicators of a growing trend in patients," Tenenbaum says.

Although officials have received reports from family physicians and offices that they are witnessing an increase in the number of patients with the virus, Tenenbaum said the public health unit does not keep track of cases. "We've heard from our colleagues at Public Health Ontario that we have seen since the late summer an increase in the number of tests that came back positive for this particular bacteria," Tenenbaum continued. "It can't give us a full picture, but it does corroborate what we're hearing from physicians about there being more cases."

Paediatric infectious disease expert Dr. Earl Rubin of the Montreal Children's Hospital told CBC News that he sees youngsters who are admitted to the hospital due to infections. "Everyone in the paediatric infectious diseases field is going through the same thing," Rubin added, referring to colleagues nationwide. Halifax Medical Centre Children with walking pneumonia have also increased since August, according to data from IWK Health and the B.C. Children's Hospital in Vancouver.

It is not common for children and teenagers to have more cases of walking pneumonia than adults, but this year it appears to be the case, according to Tenenbaum. According to him, the m. pneumoniae bacteria is becoming unusually prevalent in young children, particularly those under five. However, it is not known why walking pneumonia may be so severe this year. "We know that this particular bacteria that we see increasing in the lab data does have a bit of a cyclical nature," Tenenbaum said. "But again, what's different this time is the fact that it's more prone to causing infections for young people, and we don't really have an explanation for that."

Rubin told CBC News that there is no proof that the bacteria has altered; instead, the assumption is that an increasing number of individuals are becoming less resistant and hence more vulnerable to such an infectious disease. As a result of the several viruses that are currently in circulation, Tenenbaum advised those who are feeling ill to "stay home, toss the mask on, go see your doctor or nurse practitioner." "And of course, if you haven't yet gotten your COVID shot or your flu shot, please do go out and get those now."