RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Cases of walking pneumonia, also known as mycoplasma pneumonia, have been on the rise, particularly impacting children between the ages of 2 and 4 as well as those between 5 and 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
While the illness is typically less severe than other forms of pneumonia, its symptoms often resemble those of a common cold, making it difficult to spot.
The CDC notes that the infection is highly contagious and spreads easily among children, especially in settings like schools and daycares. Health experts warn that the uptick in cases could continue for the foreseeable future, and parents should be vigilant for signs of the illness. Cases started increasing in March and peaked in August.
Dr. Sean McKenna, a general pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at Virginia Commonwealth University, said this year has seen a particularly high number of cases, with younger children showing the most significant increases.