MedStar Health, which represents the largest healthcare provider in the D.C. and Maryland region, recently issued a warning to the public, citing a 356 percent increase in walking pneumonia, when compared to Fall 2023.
The percentage surge equates to nearly 1,400 reported cases in October, in comparison to 400 cases in Oct. 2023.
A spokesperson for MedStar Health spoke to NBC4 and said precautionary steps, like wearing masks or maintaining proper hygiene tend to decline during the fall and once classes resume for K-12 students following the summer break. This often sets the stage for increases in respiratory infections.
"Respiratory infections have patterns and so we have a few years without a lot of cases before there's a significant rise in cases like we've seen this year," said an emergency medical physician, on behalf of MedStar.
He added that with the nation now being in a post-COVID environment, procedures and practices that were followed during COVID to help prevent transmission of the virus, and which some have abandoned, were effective in keeping the spread of other respiratory infections low. He further pointed to signs that indicate that an individual may be infected with pneumonia or walking pneumonia.
"Classic pneumonia is characterized by a fever, thick, green mucus and abnormal breathing - the patient generally looks unwell," he said. "However, with walking pneumonia, which does not require bedrest or hospitalization in most cases and will eventually clear up on its own, the symptoms begin very much like one having a cold: runny nose and low-grade fever. But its persistence and the quality of the cough tend to be telltale signs that one has walking pneumonia."
MedStar's physicians suggest seeing a doctor if symptoms persist to secure antibiotics, which will help reduce the duration of the infection. They also urge residents to remain aware of any reported outbreaks especially when schools are open.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), other signs that may indicate walking pneumonia include extreme fatigue and chest pain. The respiratory infection is most often reported among young children, 5 to 7 years old and young adults.
For adults, those 65 years or older are at increased risk - a risk which continues to increase as age increases. People with chronic medical conditions, like heart, liver or lung disease, and diabetes, are also at increased risk for pneumonia as are those with weakened immune systems and who are at greatest risk for pneumonia.
CDC data shows that more than 41,000 people died from pneumonia in the U.S. in 2022.
But there are some behavioral practices which one can follow to reduce the chance of contracting pneumonia: avoid being around people who are sick; do not drink alcohol in excess; and do not smoke cigarettes.
Other preventive steps routinely cited by physicians include wearing a mask in public, particularly if you have symptoms; washing your hands frequently; coughing or sneezing into your elbow: and following your physician's recommendations for when you should return to work or send your child back to school after an illness.
In a statement issued in November, MedStar summarized the severity of the situation.
"At MedStar Health's urgent care centers alone, pneumonia cases are up 356 percent," the statement said. "The data is even more staggering for certain age groups. We've seen a 2,000 percent increase in cases of pneumonia in the 10- to 17-year-old age group. We're also seeing five times as many patients with whooping cough (pertussis) than we did this time last year - consistent with reports from the Centers for Disease Control."