Children’s bodies are delicate. From their bones to their internal organs, many things are not as strong as adults. In this case, the diseases they suffer from are also different from the diseases that adults suffer from. One of them is walking pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that can infect the lungs.
In general, pneumonia is an infection of the lung tissue. Despite the availability of advanced treatments, we still face significant morbidity and mortality challenges. There are many causes of pneumonia. However, this new type of pneumonia is caused by a common group of microorganisms and a different group.
Atypical pneumonia, also known as ‘walking pneumonia’, is a type of pneumonia that is not caused by the usual bacteria, Streptococcus pneumoniae, H influenzae, etc., says Dr. Padma Sushma. She further
said about this.
Types of walking pneumonia
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is particularly common in school children and young adults.
Chlamydophila pneumoniae: This mostly affects adults.
Legionella pneumonia: This disease is especially common in people with weakened immune systems.
Influenza virus: This is especially true for the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions.
Fungal infections: Such as Pneumocystis jiroveci, occur in people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms include a runny nose, fever, and, most importantly, a persistent cough, along with a dry cough, fatigue, headache, and sweating. Some people may also experience muscle aches and, in severe cases, difficulty breathing. It is important for those at higher risk of infection to take extra precautions.
People under 2 years of age and older than 60 years of age, those with pre-existing lung disease such as asthma or chronic bronchitis, kidney disease or other chronic diseases such as autoimmune conditions, uncontrolled diabetes, or cancer are at risk of developing this disease.
It is best for these high-risk individuals to seek medical advice immediately if they experience any of the above symptoms. The doctor may recommend a complete medical examination, including a physical examination, and a chest X-ray. A blood test will also be performed to determine the severity of the infection. After this examination, treatment will be initiated immediately.
Since this disease is caused by bacteria, it is usually treated with antibiotics. In addition to antibiotics, doctors may also recommend other treatments to help relieve symptoms.
Ways to protect yourself
In general, when it is normal, it should be given adequate rest and hydration. If it is in an advanced stage, respiratory failure may occur. Artificial respiration should be given for this. If it spreads to the bloodstream, sepsis can occur. It is especially harmful to people with heart problems. It is better to take precautions to prevent this disease than to treat it after it occurs. You can protect yourself from this disease by getting vaccinated for this.
Similarly, he said that by practicing frequent hand washing with soap and avoiding using items used by people infected with the disease, we can protect ourselves from getting walking pneumonia.