We’re seeing more cases of walking pneumonia this fall, especially among young kids—even as young as 1 and 2 years old, which is unusual. Walking pneumonia, caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, can look like a common cold but sticks around longer. If you or your child has a fever lasting more than three days, a lingering cough, or just isn’t getting better after a week, it’s worth getting checked out. In my exams, I often find significant lung congestion with walking pneumonia, which can sometimes require a chest X-ray to confirm.
Young children might also experience wheezing, vomiting, or diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration, while adults often deal with a longer-lasting cough and fatigue.
As we head into the holidays, here’s what you can do to help prevent spreading it:
- Keep sick family members home.
- Wash hands often.
- Wear a mask in crowded places if symptoms are present.
If you have concerns, we’re here to help. For more details, the CDC has a helpful page at cdc.gov/mycoplasma