A type of pneumonia infection that’s increasing in the U.S. prompted a warning from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a type of bacteria that causes respiratory tract infections and pneumonia. It’s historically been linked to the phrase “walking pneumonia,” which is a mild form of pneumonia.
What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes inflammation in the air spaces in the lung. Many different bacteria and viruses can be linked to pneumonia, but M. pneumoniae specifically acts more like a virus because it is highly contagious.
“The term walking pneumonia isn’t specific to mycoplasma,” says Barbara Jones, MD, a pulmonary and critical care physician at University of Utah Health. “It’s just a term for a syndrome where you have pneumonia but you’re actually not so sick that you can get out of bed and walk around.”
Why did the CDC issue a warning?
The CDC’s warning alerts the public and physicians about an increase in respiratory illness infections cause by M. pneumoniae. While it mostly presents as a chest cold, the virus can cause severe illness. According to the CDC, M. pneumoniae cases have especially increased among school age children.
What are the symptoms?
M. pneumoniae usually presents as a chest cold with a fever, cough, or sore throat. The bacteria can also cause respiratory tract infections and bronchitis. Children under the age of 5 may have different symptoms such as diarrhea, wheezing, or vomiting.
If it progresses to pneumonia, or “walking pneumonia,” symptoms are usually less severe than other types of bacterial pneumonia. However, M. pneumoniae can cause more worrisome symptoms in some people and even cause serious complications or hospital care.
Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Chest pain
- Poor appetite
Those having difficulty breathing or other concerning symptoms should seek help right away.
How is M. pneumonia diagnosed and treated?
It’s not easy to diagnose M. pneumoniae infections. A nasal swab or throat swab can help determine if you have M. pneumonia bacteria, but a provider will need to do a chest x-ray to determine if a you have pneumonia.
“The lungs are this deep, integrated organ, so it can be challenging to really know what’s happening inside your lungs,” Jones says. “Pneumonia can also look like other syndromes including problems with your airways or heart.”
If your doctor determines you have pneumonia due to M. pneumoniae, you’ll be given an antibiotic. Most standard antibiotic treatments for pneumonia include those that kill M. pneumoniae infections in a few days.
When to see a doctor
While most people can recover on their own at home, others can experience prolonged or serious symptoms. If you’re still not feeling better after a few days of experiencing symptoms, it’s time to get evaluated.
“Pneumonia impacts oxygen levels due to swelling in the air sacs, so you’ll want to be monitored for that,” Jones says. “But even if it doesn’t impact your oxygen levels, it really impacts people’s energy levels.”
Jones also notes that if you develop symptoms and know you’ve been exposed to someone with M. pneumoniae, it’s important to tell your doctor about the exposure so they can test you.
