An increase in Mycoplasma pneumoniae diagnosis has skyrocketed the number of babies visiting the ER, outnumbering those of school-aged children.
Since younger children are currently more affected by the bacteria than before, experts are concerned about the rare trend.
With “walking pneumonia”, babies are increasingly visiting American emergency departments. According to recent data reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pneumonia caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae in infants aged 0-1 is now on par with what was reported for older children.
This reversal is part of an alarming trend that medical professionals and authorities are trying to understand.
Although school-aged children are usually more likely to get “walking pneumonia,” the CDC’s data indicates that more babies are currently being admitted to hospitals.
This is especially troubling because Mycoplasma pneumoniae cases had all but vanished during the COVID-19 epidemic. Concerns are now being raised by this year’s revival as physicians are witnessing more serious cases and hospitalizations, some of which involve neurological and lung issues.
The South, Midwest, and Northeast are the areas most affected, according to the CDC, with notable increases occurring in states like Texas, New York, and Missouri. The severity of this year’s outbreak is highlighted by the higher-than-normal rate of positive Mycoplasma tests that medical experts, including Dr. Jennifer Nayak, are seeing.
Parents are being advised by experts to be on the lookout for signs such as fever and a persistent cough. Since standard antibiotics may not be effective against Mycoplasma infections, early diagnosis and suitable treatment are crucial.
