What is Walking Pneumonia and what are its symptoms?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States’ national public health agency, has warned doctors and parents about the rising cases of mycoplasma or Walking Pneumonia in young children. The disease may cause kids to cough for weeks. According to the CDC, the cases of this infection have increased from 1% in April to 7.2% in October, registering a 700% jump. Let’s learn more about this infection and its symptoms.

What is Walking Pneumonia?

Walking Pneumonia is a mild lung infection. It generally affects children in the age group of 2 and 4. Doctors believe that it happens when traditional antibiotics like amoxicillin and penicillin stop working.

Causes of the infection

Causes of this infection may include bacteria, viruses or mould.

Symptoms of Whooping Cough

Symptoms of the disease include cough, sneezing, headache, sore throat, low-grade fever, and mild chills.

Is Whooping Cough Contagious?

Yes, of course. Whooping cough is very contagious. It may begin with a common cold, and the coughing can last for weeks or months.

Whooping Cough Vaccine

The CDC recommends the pertussis vaccine for Whooping Cough vaccination for everyone. There are two types of vaccine for this infection — DTaP and Tdap. These vaccines also protect against tetanus and diphtheria.