Cases of walking pneumonia are on the rise among young children aged 2 to 4, according to the announcement Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Opens a new window published on Friday. While a bacterial infection, clinically known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is rare for this age group, parents should not panic: young children had mostly mild symptoms.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is generally not the most common form of pediatric pneumonia in this age group. “Usually babies and young children have viral respiratory pneumonia or bronchiolitis such as RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, infections,” he says Zachary Hoy, MDOpens a new window., a board-certified pediatric infectious disease specialist at Pediatrix Medical Group in Nashville, Tenn.

Although there is no reason to panic, careful monitoring is still recommended. Understanding the symptoms of walking pneumonia in children and taking a few simple, protective steps can help keep your child and others safe.

What to know about the current rise in pneumonia

There is no national surveillance system to monitor the actual rates of cases of walking pneumonia in any population, including children, CDC saysOpens a new window. However, reports show that nearly 10% of all pediatric emergency room visits were for walking pneumonia in August, when cases peaked. In September, it fell to 7%.

It is important to note that while these rates have been high in recent years, they are still lower than pre-COVID-19 levels, according to a February 2024 CDC reportOpens a new window.

Although the exact reason for the current increase is unclear, it is possible that during COVID, social distancing prevented people from getting sick from other infections as well, he explains John Schieffelin, MD., chief of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital New Orleans.

Although it is important to be informed about the spread of infectious diseases in your area, dr. Schieffelin doesn’t want parents to panic. “Most cases are mild, and many patients are so mild that they never seek medical attention,” he says. “It’s rarely life-threatening.”

It’s actually nicknamed “walking pneumonia” because people often feel better than they normally would with a lung infection, the CDC explains. However, it is important to pay attention to your child’s health and it will help parents to report problems with their care team.

“Monitor symptoms and if any illness lasts longer than four to five days, seek medical attention to evaluate for atypical pneumonia,” he says. Inderpal Randhawa, MD,Opens a new window MD, a pediatric pulmonologist based in California.

Symptoms of walking pneumonia in babies and young children

Symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia may begin gradually. Early symptoms to look out for include:

• Cough

• Fever

• Sore throat

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“Especially in young children, cycles of high temperature lasting more than three days may indicate atypical pneumonia,” says Dr. Randhawa.

Symptoms that are more specific for the diagnosis of walking pneumonia in children are:

Treatment of walking pneumonia in children

The CDC says that many people do not need medical treatment for walking pneumonia and can manage with rest and over-the-counter options to relieve symptoms. Sometimes an antibiotic may be needed.

“In the US, most strains are susceptible to macrolide antibiotics such as azithromycin, which is usually given as a five-day course,” says Dr. Hi.

However, the CDC mentions that they are monitoring antibiotic resistance.

“There is some resistance, especially in other countries,” says Dr. Hi. “Typically, resistance would manifest as someone who is on the third to fourth day of antibiotics and symptoms are not improving or worsening… If there is concern about resistance, a respiratory swab should be sent to confirm the diagnosis of mycoplasma and evaluate for co-infections such as which are influenza or RSV.”

Other antibiotics can be used, such as fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines, says Dr. Hi. However, he says these antibiotics are more widely used and can have different side effects, so doctors don’t prescribe them as often.

How to protect small children from this pneumonia

Although your child should have received all doses of the pneumococcal vaccine (PCV) by age 2, there is no vaccine specifically for walking pneumonia.

“Some experts believe that vaccination against other respiratory diseases, such as RSV, influenza or COVID, could help reduce those diseases, which in turn could make someone less susceptible to mycoplasma infections,” adds Dr. Hi. “Wash your hands often and consider wearing a mask in high-risk situations.”

It is also important to remind your children not to share utensils and try to avoid people with the infection. Protecting other children – especially those with underlying conditions that predispose them to more severe cases of walking pneumonia – is also important.

“Because it spreads when infected people cough, children with symptoms should stay home and not go to school,” says Dr. Schieffelin.