Dear Residents,
 
Respiratory infections caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae are on the rise in the United States. This type of bacteria can lead to infections in the throat, windpipe, and lungs.
 
Most infections from M. pneumoniae are mild and usually show up as a chest cold. It can also lead to pneumonia, which is a more serious lung infection. Symptoms are gradual and can include fever, cough, and a sore throat. When it develops into pneumonia, it’s usually a milder type known as “walking pneumonia”.
 
According to the CDC, from March to October 2024, cases of M. pneumoniae were most common in young children (ages 2 to 4). This is a concern because pneumoniae is not usually seen as a major cause of pneumonia in this age group.
 
The bacteria spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets into the air that others can breathe in. To prevent the spread of this bacteria, it’s important to wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.
 
Outbreaks usually happen in crowded places like schools, college dorms, and nursing homes. They can last a long time because:

• The time it takes for symptoms to show can be one to four weeks.
• The bacteria can stay in the respiratory tract for several months.
• Symptoms, like coughing, can last a long time.

Most people who have brief contact with someone infected with M. pneumoniae do not become infected themselves. However, those who spend extended time with an infected person are at a higher risk. Additionally, individuals recovering from other respiratory illnesses and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable to severe cases of M. pneumoniae.
 
For more information on M. Pneumoniae, please visit:  https://www.cdc.gov/mycoplasma/index.html
 
Take care and be well,
 
NWBRHC Staff