Brazos Valley NP has tips for keeping kids safe while walking during pneumonia surges

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – According to the CDC, the state of Texas is currently one of the places with the worst rates of pneumonia in the United States, especially among young children. The center called the recent increase “unusual.” A Brazos Valley doctor says it's a different type of pneumonia than you might be used to.

“Walking pneumonia is typically caused by bacteria and there is usually no vaccine for it. But we have vaccines for some of our other common pneumonias that can help with the severity of the symptoms,” explained Britni Lehde, a pediatric nurse practitioner at HealthPoint.

Lehde told KBTX that there have been several cases of walking pneumonia at the HealthPoint clinic, and she reported an increase in the flu. The best treatment for walking pneumonia is not pneumonia vaccination, she explained, but antibiotics.

There are a number of tried and tested methods you can teach your little ones when they are sick or not feeling well.

“Of course wash your hands, cover coughs, cover sneezes, things like that. If you have symptoms, please stay at home or go to the doctor for a checkup. Rest, fluids and humidifiers are really good for these respiratory problems,” Lehde added.

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