Published: December 23, 2024
Walking pneumonia is on the rise in the United States, especially among young children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It’s a trend being noticed at Norton Children’s Medical Group practices as well.
“It is dramatically increased compared with past years,” said Amael A. Shalash, M.D., a pediatrician with Norton Children’s Medical Group. “Last year I may have seen one a month. Earlier this month, I saw 10 cases in one week.”
The CDC reports this increase of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections — known commonly as walking pneumonia — was seen nationwide in late spring, and cases have continued to remain high. These infections are generally mild and mostly present as a chest cold but also may present as pneumonia. When this type of infection progresses to pneumonia, it’s typically a less severe form. With mild symptoms, people may seem better than expected, hence the term “walking” pneumonia.
Symptoms can include:
According to Dr. Shalash, these infections often set in gradually. Parents may notice their child start with minor symptoms of cough congestion, then over time those symptoms will persist or get worse.
“We see a lot of cough and cold-like symptoms that are not improving, so parents will bring their children in, and on exam we notice that the child has pneumonia,” Dr. Shalash said. “Unfortunately, it can be spread easily through respiratory droplets. So if someone has it and they’re coughing and sneezing, they can spread it to the people near them.”
Often children with a mild infection can recover on their own without medicine, though over-the-counter medicines can help relieve symptoms as they recover. If the infection is persistent or progresses, in some cases antibiotics may be prescribed.
“Typically, we say if your child has a fever that’s been more than three days, or a cough that’s worsening or lasting more than a week, you should take your child to see their pediatrician,” Dr. Shalash said.