MEDICAL INSIDER-DR BRYAN
WALKING PNEUMONIA
(Part 1)
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): We have a new topic today, Dr. Bryan. This is all about Walking Pneumonia. What is Walking Pneumonia?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Walking pneumonia is a mild form of pneumonia and its causes may include bacteria, viruses or molds. Its symptoms may also include cough and sneezing.
So, we have to remember that Walking Pneumonia is a a kind of pneumonia that is less serious. As I said, it is often caused by bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumonia.
However, other bacteria or viruses can also cause it. I repeat, this is a less serious type of pneumonia. In fact, most children who are sick with this don’t seem to feel sick. The children, sometimes, are seen outside of their homes – hence, the term “walking” and as the term suggests, these children who are sick of Walking Pneumonia, are still active and are walking outside of their houses.
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): How do we know that a kid or an adult has Walking Pneumonia? What are the signs and symptoms of this kind of pneumonia?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: When someone seems to a cold with a cough that does not go away, and the colds stay longer than 7 to 10 days, it could be Walking Pneumonia.
The symptoms are also often mild. Here are some of the symptoms which can become also severe: fever; fatigue which shows the person feeling very tired; a cough that does not easily go away and would last for weeks to months; fast breathing; breathing with wheezing sounds; headache, chills, sore throat; flu-like symptoms; ear pain; chest pain or even stomach pain; feeling of body discomfort; vomiting; loss of appetite; rashes; joint pain and poor appetite
The Bohol Tribune (TBT): Are those symptoms very noticeable, Dr. Bryan?
Dr. Bryan Cepedoza: Please note that symptoms usually depend on where the infection is focused on. For example, it the infection on the child is in the top or middle part of the lungs, the child will show labored breathing. If another person has the infection in the lower part of the lungs (near the belly), the person may have no breathing problems, but may have an upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting. (To be continued)