Walking pneumonia cases impacting children and African Americans

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a surge in Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections—commonly called “walking pneumonia”—across the United States. The illness, a milder form of pneumonia, is affecting children in unprecedented numbers, with cases rising since June, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital.Dr. Jason Newland, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said the increase is unusual, particularly in children as young as 2 years old. “We’ve not experienced this in a long time, this much mycoplasma or walking pneumonia,” Newland explained to WOSU radio station in Ohio. Although anyone can contract walking pneumonia, individuals over 5 typically experience it.The bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae causes walking pneumonia, which infects the lungs. While some individuals recover without antibiotics, symptoms can range from mild to severe. “Thankfully, it’s termed walking pneumonia because most of the time, you know, people feel bad, but they can walk around and do okay. Now, for some, it can be really severe,” Newland said. “Some of our families would tell you, ‘man, it is not as mild as some would make you think.’”A Nationwide Concern with Disproportionate ImpactPneumonia disproportionately affects African Americans, with higher infection rates, more severe complications, and increased mortality compared to other racial...