Parents and caregivers should be aware of a bacterial infection that’s becoming more common in toddlers and preschoolers — walking pneumonia.
Caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae, the illness can lead to fever, sore throat, chest pain and other symptoms. Like most respiratory illnesses, it’s spread through droplets produced when a person coughs or sneezes.
Advisory Issued
In October, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an advisory about an uptick in cases of walking pneumonia. Diagnoses have increased nationwide in the past six months, particularly in young children.
Cases of the illness have spiked in both children and adults. However, experts say the rise in diagnoses in 2- to 4-year-olds is notable, as walking pneumonia is more common in older children.
In the past several months, an increasing number of young children have received a walking pneumonia diagnosis after seeking emergency treatment for pneumonia-like symptoms.
Difficult to Distinguish
Walking pneumonia is common, with an estimated two million infections occurring annually in the United States, according to the CDC. That’s likely an undercount, as the agency states that there’s no official surveillance system in place to track the number of cases.
“Parents often aren’t sure of what it is,” explained Brittany Vanden Heuvel, a Nurse Practitioner with ThedaCare Physicians Pediatrics-Oshkosh. “Walking pneumonia can mimic other common illnesses including cold viruses, bronchitis, and COVID-19. If not properly addressed, it could develop into a serious case of pneumonia.”
While uncommon, complications can result from walking pneumonia. These could include new or worsening asthma and encephalitis, a type of brain inflammation.
Vanden Heuvel said it can be challenging to distinguish walking pneumonia from other respiratory infections. One trait setting it apart from other illnesses is that symptoms develop gradually and worsen over a few weeks. Other respiratory diseases like influenza, RSV and COVID-19 tend to get better after a few days.
Different from Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia differs from pneumonia in several ways, including its symptoms.
Someone with walking pneumonia usually runs a low-grade fever and has dry coughs. People with pneumonia have high fevers above 102 degrees and have wet coughs that produce phlegm.
People with walking pneumonia often can continue with most of their regular activities. Those with pneumonia require significant rest and are limited in what they can do.
“Symptoms of walking pneumonia can last for a month or more, which is why it’s essential that it is properly diagnosed,” Vanden Heuvel said. “Because it often looks like other illnesses, you want to make sure you confirm the diagnosis.”
People should receive medical care if their cough continues to worsen after a few days and if they run a fever for several consecutive days, Vanden Heuvel noted. Additionally, seek care for wheezing or difficulty breathing.
Medical providers diagnose walking pneumonia by collecting a specimen, often with a swab from the person’s nose or throat. Treatments may include over-the-counter medications and antibiotics, depending on the severity of symptoms.
Stopping the spread
Like most respiratory diseases, walking pneumonia can spread quickly in crowded environments. These include day care centers, schools, college dorms and nursing homes.
People can prevent the spread of walking pneumonia through frequent handwashing, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing a mask if infected.
Those who suspect walking pneumonia can receive care at their primary care clinic or a ThedaCare urgent or walk-in care location.
“We encourage people to get medical care if their respiratory symptoms are worsening or not improving,” Vanden Heuevel said. “The sooner a person is diagnosed with walking pneumonia, the sooner they can begin treatment and begin feeling better.”
