What to know about rise in walking pneumonia in kids
By Julia Morrill Queens Voice November 3, 2024 An infectious disease expert explains the symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia, which has seen an unusual uptick among young kids. This article originally in NewYork-Presbyterian Health Matters. NEW YORK - A surge in cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia, commonly known as walking pneumonia, among young kids has raised concern about the respiratory infection. An advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week reported a rise in all age groups since the late spring through the fall, with a notable increase in the percentage of children between ages 2 and 4 (from 1% to 7.2%). In previous years, most infections were observed among school-aged children and adolescents. Mycoplasma pneumonia is caused by a type of bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and it typically spreads in the spring and summer. An estimated 2 million infections occur each year in the U.S., according to the CDC. It is sometimes referred to as walking