Mycoplasma pneumonia, often called “atypical pneumonia,” is drawing more and more children to Triangle area hospitals for treatment.

This is the same type of bacteria that causes walking pneumonia.

Dr. Zachary Willis, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at UNC Children, explained that the volume of cases the region is currently experiencing is “a little unusual.”

“Typically we see it in older children and adolescents, but recently we’re seeing it more in younger children, which is somewhat surprising,” Willis said. “We see children as young as 2 years old with us.”

Willis explained that most people with this type of pneumonia can recover on their own.

“There is no vaccine for this specific type of infection, but there are effective antibiotics,” Willis said.

UNC Hospital Reports 40 positive cases of mycoplasma pneumonia were reported in the last week of October 2024. During the same period last year, no cases were detected.

“Fall is when this happens most often, but we haven’t seen this much mycoplasma, at least not since before the pandemic,” Willis said. “We’ve seen these kinds of unusual spikes in different types of respiratory viruses and bacteria over the last few years and this is another one.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an alert in October regarding the worrying upward trend in infections among children.

DHHS has reported an increase in the number of cases of pediatric pneumonia seen in emergency departments across the state. The highest number of cases is seen in the Triangle, Charlotte and Triad regions.

Willis shared that an infection can happen to any child, but those with underlying conditions, such as asthma, may be at increased risk.

“People who get it may think they have viral pneumonia or a bronchitis-like infection. It can cause fever, cough and sore throat; very common types of symptoms,” Willis said.

The doctor shared that a fever or cough that persists longer than expected can be a good indication that a person is suffering from pneumonia.

Common signs of pneumonia in children include: – fever – cough – faster breathing – deeper breathing – wheezing or grunting – chest or stomach pain – vomiting – chills Willis encourages parents to remain vigilant when they notice signs of illness in the home.

“If you are sick, stay home from work. If your children are sick, keep them home for a few days to avoid the spread of bacteria and viruses,” he warned.

Willis also advised parents to make appointments to stay for themselves and their children up to date on COVID, flu and RSV vaccinations before the colder months.

“We have vaccines for a lot of these things and we can prevent a lot of illness, prevent a lot of missed work, prevent a lot of missed school and prevent a lot of trips to the emergency room and the hospital as well,” he said. Willis.

Pneumonia is often diagnosed by listening to a patient’s breathing patterns. A chest x-ray may also be requested in some cases.