Walking pneumonia is growing in North Carolina. Who is most at risk? (+How to Protect Yourself)

North Carolinians should be on the lookout for walking pneumonia, another respiratory infection, as the COVID, flu, and RSV seasons are well underway.

According to the North Carolina Medical Society, the infection is still spreading after UNC Hospitals reported 40 cases of walking pneumonia in the last week of October. By contrast, during the same time last year, the hospital network reported almost no cases.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been monitoring a rise in cases throughout the state. Hospitalizations for children’s cases have been reported by Rowan County’s health department in a November news release.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the bacterium responsible for the current surge in cases, according to Dr. Zach Willis, an associate professor of pediatric infectious diseases at UNC Children’s Hospital, who spoke to The Charlotte Observer.

According to the CDC, respiratory tract infections can be caused by the microbe Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The throat, windpipe, and lungs are all parts of the respiratory tract, and it can damage their lining.

Although it can cause illness, Willis told CNN that most individuals who contract it don’t require hospitalization. A person may have walking pneumonia, which can be brought on by COVID, RSV, or influenza.

Even though the majority of people only have mild symptoms, some groups should be more cautious while interacting with the virus.

This is all the information you need to know about walking pneumonia.

Who is most susceptible to walking pneumonia?

Pneumonia is most common in young children and the elderly, but it can also infect teenagers and school-age children, Willis said.

According to Willis, they may get this and become seriously ill for some time. However, compared to younger children and older people, that group of teenagers and school-aged children is often far less likely to need to visit the hospital.

According to the health department of Rowan County, serious cases might happen, especially in young children and people with weakened immune systems. Severe pneumonia, exacerbated asthma, or, in rare cases, inflammation of the brain are examples of serious outcomes.

What are the symptoms of walking pneumonia?

Fever, cough, and dyspnea are the most common signs of walking pneumonia, while some patients may have unusually high fevers.

According to Willis, some people may have a fever that lasts for several days and reaches 103 or 104 degrees. That’s more than most parents typically see when their children get ear infections or colds.

The Cleveland Clinic states that further symptoms may include:

• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Sneezing
• Headache

How is walking pneumonia treated?

“Symptoms of walking pneumonia can sometimes go away on their own, but doctors can treat them with antibiotics,” Willis said.

Doctors typically use azithromycin, a common antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections, to treat walking pneumonia when mycoplasma is the origin of the virus.

The National Institutes of Health states that azithromycin is usually administered for one to five days and can be purchased as a pill or liquid.

Is there a vaccine for walking pneumonia?

“Mycoplasma pneumoniae, also known as walking pneumonia, has no vaccine, but you can prevent infections by washing your hands and practicing good cough hygiene, like coughing into your elbow or wearing a mask,” Willis said.

To reduce the chance of spreading the infection, those with a walking pneumonia diagnosis should stay away from public areas like workplaces and schools.

Is walking pneumonia spreading in NC?

According to Willis, walking pneumonia has undoubtedly peaked in North Carolina, but the number of cases is continuously rising. As we get closer to the late December holidays, doctors expect more respiratory viruses.

According to the data I’m seeing, it has most likely peaked and is beginning to decline. In the near future, influenza, RSV, and most likely COVID will replace it, Willis told CNN. However, there are vaccinations for each of those conditions.

“The COVID and flu vaccines are available to almost everyone, and the RSV vaccine is available to infants and anyone over 60,” Willis said.

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