The United States is now reporting an unusually high level of "walking pneumonia" or "white lung pneumonia" infections among young children.
The number of people treated for Infections caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae has increased significantly from March 31 through October 5 among all age groups. However, the highest increase was among children, with pneumonia-associated emergency room visits increasing from 0.5% in the week ending March 31 to 2.1% in the week ending October 5.
Specifically, the share increased from 1.0% to 7.2% among children aged 2 to 4. It also rose from 3.6% to 7.4% among children aged 5 to 17, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Walking pneumonia diagnoses peaked at 10.7% among children aged 2 to 4 and at 9.8% among children aged 5 to 17 in August 2024.
"The increase in 2–4-year-olds is notable because these infections have historically been thought to affect school-age more than younger children," the CDC noted.
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Where Are Walking Pneumonia Cases the Worst?
A spokesperson for the CDC who spoke with CBS News said walking pneumonia cases are currently surging in the middle of the country from Texas through Iowa.
However, other states have also begun reporting an increasing number of pneumonia cases, including Illinois and Wisconsin. In Illinois, specifically, health officials are now seeing clusters of pneumonia cases in schools.
What Is Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia is similar to other pneumonia cases where bacteria cause infections in a person's upper and lower respiratory tract. However, it is a milder form of pneumonia that typically does not require visits to the hospital or bed rest. The illness earned the term "walking pneumonia" as infected individuals are often able to continue their daily activities.
Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections spread through airborne droplets when an infected individual coughs or sneezes. Infection is more common in children aged 5 to 15. An individual is at higher risk of developing walking pneumonia if they have a weakened immune system, a history of tobacco use, and chronic pulmonary conditions such as asthma.
Common symptoms of walking pneumonia include persistent dry cough, low-grade fever, fatigue, sore throat, mild chills, chest pain, sinus infection, and skin rashes.
