There’s been a recent surge in walking pneumonia cases in the U.S., especially in children.
What is Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia (fancy name: “atypical pneumonia” ) is a lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
Why is it Called Walking Pneumonia (vs. Straight Up Pneumonia)?
It’s called walking pneumonia because it tends to be a milder form of pneumonia than “regular” pneumonia. People who contract walking pneumonia typically feel well enough to “walk” around and do their daily activities (even though they probably shouldn’t).
What are the Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia?
The Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia are Similar to the Symptoms of Regular Pneumonia, But Less Severe. They Include:
- A persistent cough. The cough tends to be dry and worse at night.
- A low-grade fever (vs. the higher-grade fevers that you see with regular pneumonia)
- A runny nose
- A sore throat
- Fatigue
- Fussiness (in younger kids especially)
- Wheezing & shortness of breath (especially in kids who have an underlying lung disease, such asthma or reactive airway disease).
Who is Getting Walking Pneumonia These Days and Why are Cases on the Rise in the U.S.?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC), walking pneumonia cases have increased among ALL age groups since last spring. It’s typically most prevalent in kids 5-17 years of age, but recently there’s been a notable spike in children 2-4 years of age.1
It’s Thought That Several Factors May Be Contributing to This Surge. They Include:
1. A Lack of Immunity (Due to the COVID-19 Precautions We Were Taking):
Our social distancing and mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just reduce our risk of contracting COVID, it reduced our exposure to other pathogens as well. This was a good thing in many ways, but it also prevented young children from being exposed to various viruses and bacterium (like Mycoplasma pneumoniae) and building up their immunity to them.
2. Increased Socialization.
Studies show that we’ve been making up for lost time when it comes to socializing and being out and about. Therefore, kids are getting more exposed to pathogens like Mycoplasma pneumoniae.
3. Better Surveillance & Reporting.
The diagnostic tests for Mycoplasma pneumoniae have improved over the years. And now that doctors know Mycolasma pneumoniae is circulating in the community, they’re more like to test for it and report it.
How Do I Protect Myself and My Kids From Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia is fairly contagious and is primarily spread through respiratory droplets (and less commonly, through touching contaminated surfaces). Although we can’t 100% protect ourselves from walking pneumonia, it’s worth taking the following preventive measures:
- Practice good hand hygiene (wash your hands regularly).
- Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms of walking pneumonia.
- Wipe down “high touch surfaces” (like doorknobs, the kitchen table, etc.).
- Avoid sharing drinks and utensils.
- Sneeze and cough into your elbow and encourage others to do the same. Sneezing & coughing into your elbow won’t protect you from walking pneumonia, per se, but it will protect others from it if you have it. And if everyone follows this tip, we can reduce the community spread overall.
- Limit your exposure to big crowds. You can consider wearing a mask or having your child (if they’re over 2) wear a mask in crowded areas.
How is Walking Pneumonia Treated?
If you or your child contracts walking pneumonia, it can be treated with antibiotics. The most commonly used antibiotic for walking pneumonia is azithromycin. Supportive care in the form of rest, hydration and fever management (with Tylenol or ibuprofen) helps too.
The Bottom Line
There has been an uptick in walking pneumonia cases since last spring, especially in preschoolers. The good news is that walking pneumonia doesn’t usually produce severe symptoms AND it can be treated with antibiotics. Therefore, if your child develops symptoms of walking pneumonia, let their doctor know ASAP so you can get a prescription to treat it.
