Countries such as the US, China, Denmark, France and the Netherlands have all recently reported a rise in pneumonia cases in children, according to the Express .
What is unusual is that the number of cases has increased rapidly. In Denmark and the Netherlands, the number of infections among children aged 5 to 14 is increasing alarmingly. This unusual increase has caused concern worldwide .
Number of pneumonia cases in children increased in many places
Experts have identified Mycoplasma pneumoniae as one of the main culprits causing the disease. Other pathogens include Streptococcus pneumonia and adenovirus.
Mycoplasma pneumonia can be spread through droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The bacteria can live in the nose and throat without causing illness, but if they get into the lungs, they can cause pneumonia.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antibiotic resistance may be the cause of the increase in cases.
Symptoms, prevention
Symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia are usually short-lived, and most cases recover at home.
The symptoms of pneumonia can be confused with the flu. But there are some signs to distinguish it, such as a cough accompanied by yellow or green phlegm, according to Express .
Symptoms of pneumonia can be confused with the flu.
Common symptoms of white lung syndrome include shortness of breath, cough, chest pain, fever and fatigue.
Seek emergency medical attention if you have a cough lasting 3 weeks or more, cough up blood, have chest pain when breathing or coughing, or feel short of breath.
Hana Patel, a medical expert at the UK's National Health Service, listed symptoms to watch for including: High fever, rapid heart rate, dry or scratchy cough, sweating and shaking, severe or stabbing chest pain, rapid and shallow breathing, difficulty breathing, delirium or confusion.
Especially in young children, symptoms to watch for include cough, fatigue, difficulty breathing, fever and chills, which usually appear 1 to 4 weeks after infection.
Patel stressed the need to seek medical attention promptly if pneumonia is suspected, as the disease can progress rapidly. While most people recover within two to four weeks, groups that are more vulnerable to the disease include infants, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease.
Measures to prevent the spread of Mycoplasma include wearing a mask, keeping the environment well-ventilated, washing hands, avoiding close contact with others and staying home when sick, according to NBC.
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