Walking pneumonia and RSV cases surge among Louisiana kids | Health care/Hospitals

Cases of mycoplasma pneumonia — also known as walking pneumonia — have been surging nationally among children, and Louisiana is in the region seeing one of the largest spikes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other respiratory illnesses also are starting to pick up.

Region 6, which includes Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, is experiencing some of the highest levels of the infection, which is tracked through emergency department visits, according to a CDC spokesperson. At the beginning of November, mycoplasma pneumonia accounted for around 7% of all pneumonia-related emergency visits among children. Typically, this bacteria represents less than 1% of such visits.

Louisiana hospitals are also noticing the increase. 

“We’ve seen more cases than usual in terms of more severe pneumonia in kids with this bug,” said Dr. Michael Bolton, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge. “More so than we have in years past.”

The spike in pneumonia cases comes as other seasonal respiratory viruses are starting to increase, said Bolton.

“It’s starting to pick up right now, probably because people spent time together over Thanksgiving,” he said.

The rise in pneumonia cases

Mycoplasma pneumonia is caused by an infection with the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. Initially, symptoms are similar to a cold and include a runny nose, sneezing, low energy and a sore throat. From there, some children may develop a deep, lingering cough. Mycoplasma pneumonia can also cause neurological symptoms, said Bolton, such as severe headaches, difficulty with balance and an altered mental status.

While it’s typically more common among school-age kids, this year the spike is more pronounced in younger children ages 2 to 4, which is unusual, said Dr. Kent Humble, medical director for Ochsner Lafayette General Urgent Care. This particular bacteria usually peaks every three to seven years, Humble said. Oftentimes, it resolves on its own and doesn’t cause pneumonia. The entire nation is seeing more cases in young kids.

“I don’t know if anybody understands exactly what is going on,” he said.

Most cases are mild, which is why it’s called “walking” pneumonia. Some think the increase might be due in part to the bacteria developing resistance to the typical antibiotics used to treat it.

“We’ve seen a little more resistance than historically noted for this bacteria… so we’ve had to go to alternative drugs,” said Bolton.

RSV on the rise

Influenza, or flu, and RSV are also on the rise, though not more than what is typical for the season yet.

“Influenza is probably going to be a milder-than-average season, from what I’m seeing so far,” said Dr. Mark Kline, a pediatric infectious disease specialist and physician in chief at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.

According to wastewater data, influenza remains low in Louisiana. But the state currently has high levels of RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus. Louisiana’s rate is about 130% higher than the national rate for RSV and is one of eight with “high” or “very high” levels.

About 20% of tests for RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, are coming back positive at Children’s, said Kline. There was hope that new vaccines for pregnant women, infants and older adults might curb RSV numbers, but it’s likely too early to see an impact. 

COVID-19 levels are low nationally and in Louisiana, according to wastewater data.

For parents trying to limit illness, the advice remains the same: try not to spread germs to others and wash your hands.

“You would be amazed, when you watch somebody for two minutes, how many times they put their fingers or hands in places where germs are,” said Bolton.