Walking pneumonia is a milder form of pneumonia, usually caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae, that can cause discomfort and disrupt children’s routines. Understanding what it is, how it ... Fact sheet: Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection.

Understanding the Context

These bacteria can cause respiratory tract infections that are generally mild. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen that can cause both upper and lower respiratory tract infections in children and adults, with a wide range of severity from mild to... Nationwide rates of emergency room visits for babies with Mycoplasma pneumoniae are on track to surpass rates for school-age children, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ...

Key Insights

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common cause of mild respiratory illness, sometimes referred to as "walking pneumonia." Symptom onset is "typically gradual," the CDC says. It can include fever, a cough, ... China, Denmark, France and the Netherlands have all recently reported an increase in cases of pneumonia in children linked to a bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae. A spike in cases has also been ...