The Surge in Community Acquired Pneumonia

At Lakeside, we often see kids with coughs and mild fevers.  Usually this is from a common cold, caused by a virus.     However, this autumn in the Northeast, and even in other parts of the world, there has been a dramatic surge of Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP).  It is also called Atypical Pneumonia, or Walking Pneumonia.  CAP is a bacterial lung infection that usually causes milder symptoms compared to a classic lobar pneumonia. The recent surge has been caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae.  We don’t usually see CAP in younger children, and we’re not sure why it’s surging.  It may have something to do with the 2+ years of isolation during COVID having left our immune systems naive, and the resulting scrambling of the normal patterns of infectious disease.

Community Acquired Pneumonia may develop gradually over several days with mild symptoms like sore throat and dry cough, or it may develop quickly.  What differentiates it from a common cold is a deep wet cough, and fevers that may last for several days.  It may also cause some trouble with breathing.  If you feel that your child has these symptoms, you should bring them in to be seen by us.  If they do have CAP, we will treat it with antibiotics.  Earlier recognition and treatment of CAP may save your child a lot of misery.

Community Acquired Pneumonia is quite catchy.  It is transmitted through the air in particles that float around the room.  Cover your cough, wash your hands, and follow the rules of isolation from school/work/social settings.

If you are concerned that your child’s cough is worse than a common cold, please call us.