Cleveland Clinic Warns Parents as Walking Pneumonia Cases Increase in Children

CLEVELAND — Cases of “walking pneumonia” in young children are on the rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with local doctors observing a similar trend in Northeast Ohio. Dr. Camille Sabella, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, highlighted the recent increase and discussed the nature of this illness, its symptoms, and preventive measures.

“Right now, we are seeing a lot of different types of pneumonia,” Sabella said. “Walking pneumonia, we’re certainly seeing a lot more of that, but it can be caused by different things. It’s usually not your standard bacterial pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is typically caused by a bacteria known as mycoplasma pneumoniae, though it can present similarly to viral pneumonias.”

Walking pneumonia, a mild form of the illness, is primarily spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms often include a dry cough, fever, fatigue, headache, and sore throat. While symptoms are generally milder than in cases of traditional pneumonia, walking pneumonia can still become severe in some children. Treatment varies depending on the specific type of pneumonia, which can sometimes complicate management.

Dr. Sabella suggested that the increase in cases may be linked to children returning to school, along with the end of pandemic-related precautions that had previously limited the spread of certain pathogens, including mycoplasma. “We’re not exactly sure what’s causing the rise, but the shift back to in-person learning and reduced masking may be contributing factors,” Sabella noted.

To reduce the risk of pneumonia, Sabella recommends that parents ensure their children are vaccinated against bacterial pneumonia and influenza, both of which can cause severe respiratory infections. Unfortunately, no vaccine is currently available for mycoplasma pneumoniae, the primary cause of walking pneumonia. “There is a very effective vaccine against many strains of bacterial pneumonia, and every child should be vaccinated early in life,” Sabella said. “However, due to the large number of bacterial strains, the vaccine cannot protect against all of them.”

In addition to these vaccines, Sabella advises that parents consider COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations for eligible children, as both viruses can increase susceptibility to respiratory infections like pneumonia. As flu season approaches, Cleveland Clinic Children’s and other health institutions are urging parents to be proactive about vaccinations to minimize the risks of respiratory infections spreading in schools and community spaces.