2024-11-08 00:30:00
Cases of atypical pneumonia are increasing in Quebec. The emergency rooms of the Sainte-Justine University Hospital Center (CHU) and the Montreal Children’s Hospital are seeing more and more young people affected by this infection. Some need to be hospitalized. What do you need to know?
Published yesterday at 7:30 p.m.
What is atypical pneumonia?
This is a respiratory infection caused by bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It causes less acute symptoms than those of classic bacterial pneumonia: sore throat, cough, fatigue and fever (rarely high).
It can affect everyone, but currently in Quebec, it mainly affects school-age children and adolescents.
It is nicknamed “walking pneumonia”, or “ walking pneumonia ” in English. “People will be able to continue to go to work and school,” says Dr. Jesse Papenburg, pediatrician and microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. “They don’t necessarily need bed rest. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Dr. Jesse Papenburg, pediatrician and microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children’s Hospital
Symptoms often go away on their own. But an antibiotic may be necessary. According to Dr. Papenburg, some children need to be hospitalized because they “need oxygen or respiratory support.” Others experience severe skin rashes or have “extremely irritated, ulcerated mucous membranes of the mouth.”
The infection can lead to encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). “We have had cases,” confirms Dr. Caroline Quach, pediatrician and microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine. She specifies that “the vast majority” of patients “recover” after encephalitis.
How can we explain the increase in cases?
Epidemics of infections in Mycoplasma pneumoniae occur every three to seven years, according to the experts consulted. In Quebec, cases have been increasing since the spring.
“We have been doing the PCR test for a little over ten years to detect Mycoplasma pneumoniae and since September, we have reached unprecedented levels,” indicates Dr. Maude Paquette, pediatrician and microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine. “This is really the first spike we’ve seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. »
The infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae is not a notifiable disease in Quebec. It is also not subject to “specific surveillance” by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MSSS), however, claims to be “closely monitoring the situation” with partners in the public network. “To date, we have received some signals of increased traffic,” one wrote in an email.
An MSSS monitoring team also “continuously” monitors the spread of cases around the world. Notably, a rise in infections was recorded in China and France in December 2023. Two weeks ago, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase in cases, particularly among young children. .
Should we be worried?
No, say the experts. “But if the fever persists, things are not going well, the child is much more damaged, we see that from a neurological point of view, there is something wrong, we will consult “, says Dr. Quach, reminding that parents can “trust their judgment”.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Dr. Caroline Quach, pediatrician and microbiologist-infectious disease specialist at CHU Sainte-Justine
This explosion of cases does not represent “a public health crisis”, emphasizes Dr. Papenburg. But it is worth, according to him, to “make parents and family doctors aware” of this “epidemic of cases”.
Diagnosing the disease allows children to benefit from antibiotics which will “reduce the duration of symptoms, probably also reduce the infectiousness of the affected person”, he explains. The antibiotic prescribed differs from that offered for classic bacterial pneumonia.
Can atypical pneumonia be prevented?
No, there is no vaccine against Mycoplasma pneumoniae. According to Dr. Papenburg, children who have a cough “should wear a mask if they are well enough to go to school” to prevent transmission of this infection.
What about other infections?
The spread of COVID-19 is slowing in Quebec. The positivity rate stood at 12.7% in the week of November 3, compared to 24% the week of September 15, according to the latest report from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is circulating, but has not yet reached its peak, according to Dr. Quach. Its positivity rate stood at 4.28% during the week ending November 2, according to the INSPQ. “There is no flu yet,” she said. This is usually closer to Christmas. »
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The excerpt appears to discuss the rise in cases of infections caused by *Mycoplasma pneumoniae*, based on insights from various pediatricians and microbiologists specializing in infectious diseases. Here’s a summary of the key points:
1. **Symptoms and Treatment**:
– Symptoms can resolve on their own, but antibiotics may be required for some children.
– Hospitalization may be needed for children who require oxygen or have severe symptoms like skin rashes or painful mucous membrane ulcerations.
2. **Severity of Infection**:
– The infection can lead to serious complications such as encephalitis, although most patients recover.
3. **Increase in Cases**:
– Epidemics of *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* infections occur every three to seven years, and there has been a notable increase in Quebec since spring, particularly marked by unprecedented PCR test levels since September.
– This spike is the first significant rise observed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
4. **Monitoring by Health Authorities**:
– *Mycoplasma pneumoniae* is not a notifiable disease in Quebec, so there is no specific public health surveillance.
– However, the Ministry of Health and Social Services is monitoring the situation and tracking global trends, noting increases in infections in other countries.
5. **Public Health Concerns**:
– Experts do not consider the current situation a public health crisis, but they advise raising awareness among parents and family doctors about the increase in cases.
– Parents are encouraged to consult medical professionals if their child exhibits persistent symptoms.
while the expert commentary suggests vigilance, they also reassure that the increase in infections is manageable and does not currently pose a crisis.
