Infections caused by the bacteria responsible for walking pneumonia, a milder form of pneumonia, are on the rise in the United States, following a significant decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, USA Today reports.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the sharp increase in cases among children and the disproportionate impact on low-income communities.
Walking pneumonia, caused primarily by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, has seen a dramatic uptick in recent months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that while approximately 2 million infections occur annually in the US, the true number is difficult to track due to many people not seeking medical care for mild symptoms. After a notable drop in infections during the pandemic due to social distancing and lockdown measures, cases are now surging. Data from emergency departments from April to October show increases in infections across all age groups, with the most significant rise seen in children. Infections among children aged 2–4 have increased from 1% to 7.2%, while those in the 5–17 age group have risen from 3.6% to 7.4%.
Experts believe that the period of social isolation during the pandemic has contributed to the current surge.
“People came out of their caves, and they were no longer isolated,” said Dr. Thomas Russo, an infectious disease expert at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine.
Children, in particular, are seeing a higher number of infections because they had limited exposure to such illnesses during the lockdowns and had less opportunity to develop immunity before the pandemic.
Additionally, the nature of walking pneumonia — often mild with symptoms like cough, sore throat, and fever — means that infected individuals may not seek medical care, thus unknowingly spreading the bacteria to others. Crowded environments and increased social interactions, which have resumed post-pandemic, also facilitate the transmission of the disease.
As with many health crises, the economic status of individuals plays a significant role in how they are affected by the rise in walking pneumonia cases. Dr. Ogbonnaya Omenka, director of equitable population health at Humana Indiana Pathways, points out that low-income families often face barriers to healthcare access, making them less likely to seek medical attention when symptoms arise. These families may also be less able to afford time off from work to recover, further contributing to the spread of the disease.
“People on the low socioeconomic spectrum are most likely to struggle the most,” Omenka said.
He noted that factors such as access to healthcare and the ability to follow public health guidelines exacerbate the impact of the disease on these populations.
While walking pneumonia is generally a mild illness, it can lead to serious complications in a small percentage of cases. The infection can damage the respiratory tract, leading to chronic cough, fever, and even breathing issues. In rare instances, it can result in severe pneumonia, worsening asthma, or encephalitis (brain inflammation), which may require hospitalization. Dr. Russo emphasizes that the risk of complications increases with the rise in infection rates.
“There’s always the concern that as the basic infection increases, so too will the more serious outcomes,” Russo said.
He referred to complications that occur in about 5% to 7% of cases.
There is currently no vaccine for walking pneumonia, as it is generally not a major contributor to mortality rates. However, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Health experts recommend taking preventive measures similar to those used for other respiratory illnesses: covering your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing, frequent handwashing, and avoiding smoking. Staying up to date with vaccinations for COVID-19, the flu, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) can also help reduce the risk of complications, although these vaccines do not prevent walking pneumonia directly.
As walking pneumonia cases surge, particularly among children and economically disadvantaged populations, public health officials are emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and timely medical care. Understanding the patterns of this disease and its broader implications is crucial for mitigating its spread and minimizing its impact on vulnerable communities.
