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By paNOW Staff

Lingering cough and fatigue

Walking pneumonia cases on the rise

Jan 14, 2025 | 12:00 PM

If you have coughing fits that just won’t go away, and you’re always tired, there’s a chance you may have walking pneumonia. Cases of the condition that can affect anyone are on the rise.

“It’s a term utilized to define patients that have signs of pneumonia or a respiratory tract infection that would normally make you so ill you have to remain in bed, but instead you are still walking around – still active,” explained Dr. Khami Chokani, medical health officer in Prince Albert.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the bacteria most commonly associated with the respiratory illness. While Canada doesn’t track cases of walking pneumonia, anecdotally doctors here say it’s on the rise. In October, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a rise in cases of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections, especially in young children.

Chokani said health officials are also seeing an increase in what they would term ‘regular diseases’ like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenzas, pertussis, whooping cough and other viral infections.

“It’s like grandma and grandpa used to say – it is the ‘100 day cough,’” said Chokani. “This is a variation of that in the 21^st century.”

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Health officials aren’t quite sure why cases are on the rise in North America, but some suggest immunity gaps could be contributing to the increase. During the COVID-19 pandemic, children especially were exposed to fewer germs, potentially weakening their immune defenses.

Walking pneumonia shares symptoms with common upper respiratory infections, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. However, mycoplasma infections are often marked by a persistent cough that can last for weeks or even months. Chokani said in rare cases, walking pneumonia can progress to more severe pneumonia or other serious health issues.

“The infection is in you, making its way out of your lungs and the rest of your body and if you’re not taking anything to stop its progression it will progress to its end, whether that means it doesn’t continue or it makes you more sick.”

It is spread through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing or speaking.

“Wash your hands, cover your cough and if you’re feeling unwell when you wake up in the morning, don’t go to school or work and spread this,” Chokani said.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, he suggested visiting a family physician or healthcare provider who can help to ascertain what exactly the illness is. Walking pneumonia can be treated with the right antibiotic.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com