WASHINGTON — Doctors are warning parents after noticing an increase in Mycoplasma pneumonia among children.
Martin Austermuhle told WUSA his two girls, ages 7 and 10, were taken to the doctor after developing strange persistent coughs.
"The young one, she was coughing like a 75-year-old with a smoking habit, that’s how intense the coughing was. We eventually got concerned, we took her to the doctor, they x-ray the lungs and said it was pneumonia. Her lungs were blocked up,” Austermuhle explained.
Doctor Christina Johns with PM Pediatric Care says they've seen an increase in mycoplasma pneumonia among children.
“It’s when a very common germ migrates into the lungs and causes infections,” said Christina Johns, Senior Medical Advisor at PM Pediatric Care.
Dr. Craig Shapiro with the Children’s National Hospital told WUSA9 they are also seeing an increase in their offices, in the last couple of weeks.
The infection comes with fever, cough, and muscle aches. He said the increase has been seen across the country as well.
“Most children who are healthy, won’t have problems with the infection but children who are autoimmune compromised can have a more severe disease," explained Shapiro.
Shapiro said these kind of respiratory infections are very common around this time and we may see an even bigger increase as it gets colder.
Typically, cases are mild and the infection can be treated with some antibiotics.
The best way to protect yourself and your family is by washing your hands, staying home if you’re feeling sick, and seeing a doctor if symptoms persist after 72 hours.