State health authorities battling surge of COVID-like illness
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Queensland health authorities are grappling with a surge in cases of a different respiratory illness that resembles COVID-19.
Mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterial infection that affects the lungs, has seen a significant spike in cases, causing concern among health officials and parents alike.
Astrid Carpentier, a Brisbane mother, experienced this first-hand when her three-year-old daughter, Jorja, fell ill.
Initially presenting with a fever and cough on January 20, Jorja's symptoms seemed to improve with over-the-counter medication.
However, on January 29, her persistent cough worsened, and she ‘was starting to get out of breath’.
‘Her cough started to get really bad,’ Carpentier said.
‘There’s something going on, or she’s caught another virus.’
The doctor prescribed Jorja antibiotics but was told to take her to the hospital if she didn’t improve.
Carpentier's experience is not an isolated one. Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) emergency department has seen an influx of children presenting with similar symptoms.
‘It was full of kids with a cough—the same cough that she had,’ Carpentier said.
Jorja was discovered to have low oxygen levels, and an X-ray showed patches on her lungs, Carpentier explained. This led to a diagnosis of a ‘severe case’ of mycoplasma pneumonia.
She has been released from the hospital and is now recovering.
Jorja’s case isn’t an isolated one.
Queensland Health reported 256 cases of mycoplasma pneumonia last year. Alarmingly, the state has already recorded 229 cases this year, indicating a significant increase in the incidence of this illness.
This surge began late last year when the health department warned of an ‘unexpected increase in respiratory infections across Queensland, including mycoplasma’ on December 21.
Dr Maria Boulton, a GP and President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, explained that mycoplasma bacteria can cause other respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis.
‘Of course, whenever you mention pneumonia, it can be quite serious,’ she said.
‘There are certain individuals at risk of more severe disease. They are kids under the age of five, people over the age of 55, people with chronic conditions such as lung conditions, but also people who are immunosuppressed.’
The rise coincided with increased COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, making it difficult to diagnose.
'It’s quite a challenge to tell from just looking at a patient what they actually have,' Dr Boulton said.
'They present quite similarly. Mycoplasma may be very similar to COVID or other viruses such as RSV.'
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
It typically causes mild, 'walking' pneumonia and is most common in older children and young adults.
However, severe cases can occur, particularly in those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
Queensland's spike in mycoplasma pneumonia cases is not an isolated incident.
Similar trends have been observed in China and parts of Europe, suggesting a global increase in this bacterial infection.
Boulton said if parents see their children having problems breathing, keeping down fluids, or being ‘floppy’, they should seek medical assistance.
‘It is contagious, it’s quite easily spread. That’s why we ask people if they’re sick, they stay home,’ she said.
You can watch the news coverage below:
Credit: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube
There’s also another disease we need to look out for—measles.
One city went on high alert after new cases of measles were identified, and nine potential exposure sites were named. Read more about this health concern here.
Have you or someone you know been affected by the mycoplasma pneumonia? Let us know in the comments below.
Mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterial infection that affects the lungs, has seen a significant spike in cases, causing concern among health officials and parents alike.
Astrid Carpentier, a Brisbane mother, experienced this first-hand when her three-year-old daughter, Jorja, fell ill.
Initially presenting with a fever and cough on January 20, Jorja's symptoms seemed to improve with over-the-counter medication.
However, on January 29, her persistent cough worsened, and she ‘was starting to get out of breath’.
Mycoplasma pneumonia cases have risen in Queensland. Credit: Freepik
‘Her cough started to get really bad,’ Carpentier said.
‘There’s something going on, or she’s caught another virus.’
The doctor prescribed Jorja antibiotics but was told to take her to the hospital if she didn’t improve.
Carpentier's experience is not an isolated one. Queensland Children’s Hospital (QCH) emergency department has seen an influx of children presenting with similar symptoms.
‘It was full of kids with a cough—the same cough that she had,’ Carpentier said.
Jorja was discovered to have low oxygen levels, and an X-ray showed patches on her lungs, Carpentier explained. This led to a diagnosis of a ‘severe case’ of mycoplasma pneumonia.
She has been released from the hospital and is now recovering.
Jorja’s case isn’t an isolated one.
Queensland Health reported 256 cases of mycoplasma pneumonia last year. Alarmingly, the state has already recorded 229 cases this year, indicating a significant increase in the incidence of this illness.
This surge began late last year when the health department warned of an ‘unexpected increase in respiratory infections across Queensland, including mycoplasma’ on December 21.
Dr Maria Boulton, a GP and President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland, explained that mycoplasma bacteria can cause other respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis.
‘Of course, whenever you mention pneumonia, it can be quite serious,’ she said.
‘There are certain individuals at risk of more severe disease. They are kids under the age of five, people over the age of 55, people with chronic conditions such as lung conditions, but also people who are immunosuppressed.’
The rise coincided with increased COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases, making it difficult to diagnose.
'It’s quite a challenge to tell from just looking at a patient what they actually have,' Dr Boulton said.
'They present quite similarly. Mycoplasma may be very similar to COVID or other viruses such as RSV.'
Mycoplasma pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
It typically causes mild, 'walking' pneumonia and is most common in older children and young adults.
However, severe cases can occur, particularly in those with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions.
Queensland's spike in mycoplasma pneumonia cases is not an isolated incident.
Similar trends have been observed in China and parts of Europe, suggesting a global increase in this bacterial infection.
Boulton said if parents see their children having problems breathing, keeping down fluids, or being ‘floppy’, they should seek medical assistance.
‘It is contagious, it’s quite easily spread. That’s why we ask people if they’re sick, they stay home,’ she said.
You can watch the news coverage below:
Credit: 7NEWS Australia / Youtube
There’s also another disease we need to look out for—measles.
One city went on high alert after new cases of measles were identified, and nine potential exposure sites were named. Read more about this health concern here.
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