How do I know if my child has walking pneumonia? Will it go away without antibiotics? Is walking pneumonia contagious? Here’s what parents need to know about this silent disease.
In common pneumonia, it can be noticed that the child is sick because he is lethargic, has a fever and is short of breath. But there is also a type of pneumonia in which the child is energetic and does not seem to be sick. This is walking pneumonia. It is also called atypical pneumonia.
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What Is Walking Pneumonia?
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If you have not heard the term yet, walking pneumonia is an infection of the lungs which is a bit milder than other types of pneumonia. Here, the child is able to do his daily activities, although he is tired, hence the term. It is caused by a group of viruses and bacteria.
According to Dr Romina Gerolaga, a pediatric pulmonologist from the Philippines,
“That’s why it’s called walking pneumonia because the child just coughs, or if there’s a fever, it’s a low-grade fever. But playing, not breathless. But when an x-ray is performed, it can be seen that there is pneumonia.”
Walking pneumonia is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. If the child has a cold that lasts 7 to 10 days or a respiratory illness such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it can also cause walking pneumonia.
The most common cause of walking pneumonia is mycoplasma – a type of atypical bacteria. It is the most common cause of pneumonia in school-going children and young adults. However, it rarely affects children younger than 5, except when they contract it from their elder siblings.
In adults, it also causes community-acquired pneumonia. It also causes pneumonia in patients who are admitted to the hospital for something else.
Walking Pneumonia Symptoms in Children
According to Dr Gerolaga, generally, there are three main symptoms of pneumonia in children that you should watch out for:
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Fever that does not go away
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Prolonged cough that gets worse
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Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
“The most important thing is to check if there is shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and fever and cough that do not go away,” said Dr. Gerolaga. “Because if it’s just a virus, they shouldn’t have trouble breathing or the symptoms would not continue for a long time,” she added.
With pneumonia caused by a virus, symptoms usually start out mild but can get worse over time. But if it’s bacterial pneumonia, the child immediately develops a high fever, cough and rapid breathing, so it’s important to treat it immediately.
It can also be noticed if the child’s nostrils enlarge when breathing or if the colour of his lips or nails changes due to lack of oxygen. This can also be a symptom of pneumonia in a child.
The common symptoms of walking pneumonia may look like a milder version of flu. The infection spreads from child to child through droplet infection – sneezing and coughing. It takes 1 to 3 weeks for the pathogen to elicit any symptoms. After 2 to 3 weeks, your child may experience:
- Low-grade fever
- Rashes
- Sore throat
- Wheeze if he has asthma
- Fatigue, but not enough to confine him to bed
- A cough (dry or with phlegm)
- Ear infection
- Croup
From the symptoms, the infection does not seem severe. However, in a few children, it may cause life-threatening conditions like swelling of the brain. Add the fact that it spreads so easily, which makes us parents worry about it. In fact, it often spreads in schools and camps, and in the United States, there is a community-wide epidemic every 4 to 7 years.
Dealing with Walking Pneumonia
So, if you spot your child with the symptoms, take him to your GP. He will do some tests, take X-rays, and may prescribe your child some antibiotics.
The cycle of antibiotics prescribed by your paediatrician or pulmonologist should be completed to prevent the infection from returning. Depending on the condition of the child’s pneumonia, the doctor may decide whether he should stay in the hospital for observation, or whether he can recover at home.
After the visit to the GP, ensure that your child
- Relaxes: He needs plenty of rest. Let him catch some sleep. If he is not sleepy, give him some light books to read. You can put on some music or even podcasts. Don’t let him watch TV, or for that matter, take every screen away from him.
- Has plenty of fluids. Give him water, and if needed, ORS. Avoid glucose drinks or juices as this may cause diarrhoea. Soups are ideal as they will provide him with some relief from the symptoms.
- Takes his medicines. A full course of antibiotics is essential. So ensure that he takes his meds.
- You can also use an air humidifier in the baby’s room to help ease his breathing.
If, the symptoms worsen, contact your doctor. In addition, your child might need some medical help if he has
- Shortness of breath
- High fever
- chest pain
If this happens, don’t wait and go to the hospital immediately.
How to Prevent Walking Pneumonia
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In children, infections pass on from one to another very easily. It is partly because they spend time with each other in much closer contact than adults. However, the main reason is that they may not practice hygiene as adults do.
Teach your child how to wash hands properly. He should wash his hands before and after every meal, toilet visits (even if it is just a short break), after playing outside. When he comes home from school or the playground, encourage him to wash both his hands and feet.
To prevent infections like walking pneumonia, ask your child to cover his nose whenever he sneezes or coughs. If every child does that, he will not infect others. The used tissues should be disposed of in a bin, and not used again and again. If he uses a handkerchief, wash it daily.
These small things will help prevent outbreaks of many diseases.
To sum it up
- Walking pneumonia in school-going children is most commonly caused by mycoplasma
- It is a droplet infection – it spreads in schools by uncovered coughing and sneezing
- The child will be tired, may have symptoms like a milder version of Flu
- It is generally mild but may become life-threatening
- If it is bacterial, antibiotics are needed
- Ensure that he gets plenty of rest and fluids
- Teach him common hygiene practices
Navigating walking pneumonia in children may seem daunting, but with proper care and attention, your little ones can bounce back to their energetic selves in no time.
Remember, rest, hydration, and timely medical guidance are your best allies. It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for accurate diagnosis and personalised treatment for walking pneumonia in children.
Updates from theAsianparent Philippines.
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