All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in India has reported seven cases of walking pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae between April and September 2023, according to Lancet Microbe journal. These cases, however, bear no association with the recent respiratory surge seen in China and the US.
Walking pneumonia, recognized as a milder form of the ailment, is characterized by a gradual onset and symptoms like sore throat, chest pain, headache, and fatigue. The Indian government clarified that these seven instances are part of an ongoing study at AIIMS Delhi and do not pose a cause for immediate concern.
In a distinct clarification, the government underscored that no Mycoplasma pneumonia was identified among the 611 samples tested at AIIMS Delhi’s Department of Microbiology as part of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) comprehensive respiratory pathogen surveillance, predominantly covering severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) cases.
Dr. Tushar Tayal, Lead Consultant in Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, detailed the situation, linking the rise in hospitalizations in China to Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a bacterium affecting the lungs causing walking pneumonia, typically a milder form not requiring hospitalization.
Clarifying the differences between pneumonia and walking pneumonia, Dr. Tayal explained that while both are lung infections, the latter is generally less severe. Pneumonia symptoms, including cough, fever, and chest pain, can be more acute and potentially life-threatening, especially for vulnerable groups.
In contrast, walking pneumonia displays milder symptoms such as sore throat, mild fever, and fatigue, allowing individuals to continue daily activities, potentially contributing to increased transmission. Dr. Deepak Prajapat, Sr. Consultant in Pulmonary & Critical Care at Metro Hospitals & Heart Institute, Noida Sector-12, further elaborated on these differences.
Dr. Tayal highlighted the importance of preventive strategies in India, emphasizing surveillance, public awareness, vaccination programs, and community-based interventions to combat walking pneumonia. Such measures aim to monitor antibiotic resistance, educate the public, assess vaccine effectiveness, and promote respiratory health practices to curtail transmission.
As the medical fraternity underscores vigilance and preventive steps, India prepares to address and tackle the challenges posed by walking pneumonia to safeguard public health.
Sources By Agencies
