Warren County, Ohio, has witnessed an unusual surge in pediatric pneumonia cases, including Mycoplasma pneumonia, echoing similar outbreaks in Denmark and China.

Since August, the Warren County Health District has reported 145 cases among children, primarily around eight years old, exhibiting symptoms such as cough, fever, and fatigue. The district emphasizes that while no deaths have been reported, the severity of illnesses aligns with previous years.

Simultaneously, Denmark and China are grappling with a spike in Mycoplasma pneumonia cases. Taiwan's health ministry has issued travel advisories, urging older adults, young children, and individuals with weakened immunity to avoid travel to affected regions.

NBC News reported that the World Health Organization reported a surge in mycoplasma pneumonia hospitalizations in Chinese children since May. Denmark has witnessed an increase since summer, with 541 new cases in the week ending Nov. 26, triple the number from three weeks earlier. Sweden, Switzerland, and Singapore recorded over 100 cases each from April to September, as per a study in The Lancet Microbe.

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To understand the Mycoplasma pneumonia outbreak, the CDC has actively communicated with Chinese health officials. Dr. Mandy Cohen, CDC Director, said a new pathogen does not cause the situation.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have an impact on the rise in pneumonia cases, which limits children's ability to develop immunity due to lockdowns and isolation.

Mycoplasm Pneumonia Facts

Many parents are unaware that mycoplasma pneumonia may develop mild or "walking" pneumonia, characterized by a cough, fever, and rash, per CNN. Viruses, bacteria, and chemicals cause pneumonia, which inflames the lungs. It can be spread through respiratory droplets.

While the bacterium may persist in the nose and throat without causing illness, it can lead to pneumonia. Typically milder, Mycoplasma pneumonia exhibits prolonged symptoms, and cases tend to peak every three to seven years in the US.

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While most people recover without treatment, antibiotics can aid in severe infections. The American Lung Association warns that walking pneumonia due to Mycoplasma can still be difficult and come with a cough, fever, chest pain, mild chills, and headaches.

Testing in Ohio revealed the presence of Mycoplasma and Strep bacteria, along with adenovirus. While Mycoplasma infections are not mandatory to report in many US states, the CDC monitors these infections through emergency departments and laboratory data.

Beware of Misinformation

Dr. Buddy Creech, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, suggests that the true extent of Mycoplasma cases may be underestimated, as many cases are treated in pediatrician offices without extensive testing. Front-line antibiotics typically used for pneumonia may not be effective against Mycoplasma, requiring different antibiotics like azithromycin or a Z-Pak.

Creech emphasizes the importance of parental and healthcare provider awareness, urging vigilance without undue alarm.

Certain news outlets have coined the term "white lung syndrome" in connection with mycoplasma-induced pneumonia, citing the appearance of white patches on X-rays, according to Everyday Health.

However, Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious disease specialist at Stanford Medicine, emphasized on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that "white lung syndrome" is a fabricated term. He noted that all types of pneumonia, not exclusive to Mycoplasma pneumonia, will manifest as white areas on X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans.

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