Should We Be Worried About Walking Pneumonia?

(SPOT.ph) It seems like everyone is getting sick lately, with the Department of Health floating the term “walking pneumonia” in the past week and issuing a statement on December 6. So, what gives? Should you be worried?

ABS-CBN News was the first to report four cases of walking pneumonia in the Philippines on December 6, which has caused a bit of panic on social media. However, Department of Health (DOH) is reassuring the public that walking pneumonia is “not new or unusual,” having been previously detected among local cases.

“All these cases have recovered. More than half of confirmed cases were due to other well-known and commonly detected pathogens. We have medicines that can treat M. pneumoniae; and we can easily prevent its transmission,” DOH said in a statement.

Likewise, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa has also confirmed that there is no walking pneumonia outbreak in the Philippines.

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What is walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is an informal term for a mild infection of the lower respiratory tract caused by pathogens that are not commonly linked with pneumonia. It’s a less severe type of pneumonia that is most likely to affect younger children and individuals with weak immune system. Its flu-like symptoms include fever, sore throat, and cough.

The good news? It is readily treated with antibiotics, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, DOH Spokesperson Enrique Tayag said walking pneumonia is “notorious for reinfection.” It can stay for weeks even after treatment.

Like COVID-19, you can avoid contracting walking pneumonia by washing your hands and covering your mouth. This is why DOH is advising the public to observe minimum health protocols during the holidays.

DOH advises the public to keep masks on

Walking pneumonia might not be as alarming, but there are still reasons to be cautious.

According to Health Assistant Secretary Beverly Ho, there has been almost 50% increase in local pneumonia cases, bringing the total to 158,762 from January to October this year. This rise in pneumonia cases was noted amid a reported spike in respiratory illnesses in China.

The threat of COVID-19 is still there as well, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and other government officials testing positive for COVID-19 this week.

The DOH is urging the public to perform individual self-assessment, mask up, ensure adequate ventilation, isolate when sick, and get vaccinated and boosted as necessary.

“Please be comfortable to still wear masks when outdoors,” Ho said.

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