Walking Pneumonia: What You Need to Know About the Viral Rise in Cases

Walking pneumonia may sound like a mild illness, but its recent rise in cases is catching attention. Unlike typical pneumonia that confines patients to bed rest, walking pneumonia is a milder form, allowing individuals to continue daily activities even while sick. This blog explores what walking pneumonia is, why cases are rising, symptoms to look out for, and preventive measures to stay safe.

What is Walking Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is a lung infection usually caused by bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It’s known as “atypical” pneumonia because its symptoms are less severe and more gradual compared to other types. People with walking pneumonia might feel like they have a lingering cold or mild flu and, unlike severe cases of pneumonia, typically do not require hospitalization.

However, walking pneumonia can still be contagious and can cause discomfort that affects productivity and daily life, especially when cases rise seasonally or in outbreak clusters.

Why the Rise in Walking Pneumonia Cases?

The recent increase in walking pneumonia cases is attributed to several factors:

1. Seasonal Changes: Respiratory infections spike during cooler months due to more time spent indoors and in closer contact with others, allowing germs to spread.
2. Increased Awareness and Testing: As awareness of walking pneumonia grows, more people are seeking medical advice for symptoms they might have previously ignored.
3. Post-Pandemic Immune Response: The pandemic altered our immune responses and brought attention to respiratory hygiene. As people return to shared indoor spaces like schools and workplaces, infections that might have been mild or unnoticed before are now being identified more readily.
4. Contagious Nature: Though less severe, walking pneumonia is still contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets. Outbreaks can easily happen in schools, offices, and other communal settings.

Common Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia

Symptoms of walking pneumonia can vary but usually include:

• Persistent Dry Cough: Often the most telling sign, a dry, hacking cough may last several weeks.
• Low-Grade Fever: Temperatures generally stay below 101°F, unlike with typical pneumonia, which can cause high fever.
• Sore Throat: Throat irritation is common due to coughing.
• Fatigue: Despite its “walking” label, walking pneumonia often leaves patients feeling tired and weak.
• Headache and Body Aches: General aches are common, resembling the symptoms of a mild cold or flu.

While symptoms are generally mild, untreated walking pneumonia can lead to complications, especially in older adults, children, and those with weakened immune systems.

How to Protect Yourself

While no one can guarantee immunity from walking pneumonia, several preventive measures can help:

• Practice Good Hygiene: Regular handwashing and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing are key to preventing the spread of respiratory infections.
• Limit Close Contact with Sick Individuals: If you’re aware of a walking pneumonia case in your environment, try to keep a respectful distance and avoid sharing items.
• Stay Home if You’re Sick: If you feel symptoms coming on, rest at home to reduce the risk of spreading infection.
• Boost Immunity: A healthy diet, regular exercise, and enough sleep strengthen your immune system to fight off infections more effectively.

Treatment and When to See a Doctor

Walking pneumonia often resolves with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications for symptom relief. However, if you or someone you know is experiencing severe symptoms or if symptoms persist beyond a couple of weeks, seeking medical attention is essential. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics if the infection is bacterial, which is common with Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Final Thoughts

While walking pneumonia may be considered mild, its ability to spread and linger makes it a condition worth taking seriously, especially in environments where people gather in close quarters. With cases on the rise, awareness, hygiene, and timely medical intervention can help curb its spread and keep communities healthier.

Stay safe, stay informed, and protect yourself and others as we navigate this wave of walking pneumonia cases.

• The U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced an increase in pediatric cases of “walking pneumonia”
• A spike happens “every couple of years,” Dr. Matthew Isaac Harris, pediatric emergency medicine physician at the New York-based Northwell Health, tells PEOPLE
• Dr. Harris says the infection is “very treatable” with antibiotics, and advised parents to skip over-the-counter cough medicine