Infected people do not show some of the classic signs of the disease, which affects their seeking medical care and initiation of treatment.
Health workers in the city of St. Paul report an increase in cases of pneumonia in the municipality, with particular attention to a specific type of disease, known as atypical or “silent” pneumonia.
The infection is so named because its initial symptoms are less obvious than in common conditions, which can delay seeking treatment and diagnosis, leading to worsening of the disease.
“There has been an increase in the care of patients with severe pneumonia in Julho Nine Hospital, Santa Paula Hospital and Hospital Brasilia, which could be related to an atypical pneumonia”, informs Dasa, owner of the three institutions.
At the Sabará Children’s Hospital, the medical team has observed the appearance of cases of this type of pneumonia since October last year, according to pediatric pulmonologist Miriam Eller, and in recent months there has been a significant increase in visits.
“We already had an outbreak of mycoplasma pneumonia in São Paulo, a few months ago, and now there are also reports of an increase in cases,” says Elie Fiss, a pulmonologist at the University of São Paulo. German Oswaldo Cruz Hospital.
According to Municipal Health Secretariat (SMS) of São Paulo, that there are no detailed records of each type of pneumonia, including silent pneumonia, in the city. However, there is an increase in cases of the disease in general, especially among children.
The file uses data from the Menino Jesus Municipal Pediatric Hospital as an example. By the end of last month, the department’s emergency room had seen 675 visits for pneumonia: 26 in January, 42 in February, 129 in March, 164 in April, 147 in May, and 167 in June.
In the same period in 2023 there were 495 consultations — 14 in January, 30 in February, 78 in March, 126 in April, 143 in May and 104 in June: a difference of 36.4%. Comparing the month of June alone, the change was 60.6%.
In addition, 129 patients with pneumonia were admitted to hospital in the first half of this year, compared to 124 in the first six months of 2023. According to the secretariat, there were no deaths due to the disease in the department in 2023 and 2024.
What is “silent” pneumonia?
Atypical pneumonia, as the name suggests, is a non-standard presentation of pneumonia, starting with its causative agents. The main microorganism involved in this situation are bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniaebut, according to the Society of Pediatrics of San Paolo (SPSP), they can also be agents Chlamydia pneumoniae and the Legionella pneumophila.
The disease is contagious. It can be transmitted through droplets of contaminated saliva in closed environments and it can take a patient some time to realize that something is wrong. According to the SPSP, patients infected with Mycoplasma have fewer symptoms than those with classic pneumonia and continue to carry out their usual activities.
This is exactly what happened to the actress Camila Pitanga. In March, took to social media to share his diagnosis of asymptomatic pneumonia and recommend health care.
In the post, the actress said she did not have the common symptoms of pneumonia, such as fever and cough, but she felt extremely tired. Friends advised her to see a doctor and after several tests, the disease was confirmed.
Symptoms and Treatment
“Mycoplasma pneumonia has a milder onset than common pneumonia. It can cause a lower fever and mild malaise. On the other hand, it has more severe shortness of breath than pneumococcal pneumonia,” explains Fiss.
The patient may feel sick, have a sore throat, headache and fever. After three or four days a dry cough appears, which may become productive, more intense and persistent.
The disease is usually self-limiting, meaning symptoms resolve within two to four weeks. However, in some cases, it can cause serious clinical conditions, even with the use of antibiotics.
Experts say the diagnostic process is challenging because the disease usually does not show signs that differentiate it from other types of pneumonia in radiological examinations. In addition, molecular tests that can identify the causative agent of the disease are not so widespread.
When it is not possible to perform all the tests, doctors use a broad spectrum of antibiotics, which can treat both typical and atypical infections. Therefore, it is common for the patient to receive a combination of drugs, according to Marcos Tavares, a pulmonologist at Hospital Nove de Julho. Treatment also includes rest, attention to fluid intake, and a healthy diet to strengthen the immune system.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
