Des Moines hospitals are reporting an increase in walking pneumonia in children. What you need to know.

Walking pneumonia, or Mycoplasma pneumonia, infections among children are on the rise in the Des Moines area.

The upswing follows trends reported by the Center for Disease control prevention in mid-October. Over the past six months, there has been an increasing number of patients diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumonia. This is typically associated with ‘walking pneumonia’ or acute bronchitis, the researchers said USA TODAY.

The percentage of children aged 2 to 4 years diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumonia grew from 1% to 7.2% between March 31 and October 5, according to the CDC. Children aged 5 to 17 saw an increase from 3.6% to 7.4% in the same time frame.

There are cases of walking pneumonia at MercyOne and Blank Children’s Hospital of Des Moines

MercyOne and Blank Children’s Hospital have both seen an increase in the number of pediatric cases of Mycoplasma pneumonia.

“Mycoplasma is not always associated with the start of school,” said Joseph McGargill, Chief Medical Officer of MercyOne Medical Group. “This is a typical season for the croup or parainfluenza virus.”

The Blank Children’s Hospital has been experiencing an increase in the number of cases of walking pneumonia for several weeks. There is also an increase in the respiratory virus parainfluenza, which causes croup cough.

MercyOne shows a similar trend in adult patients with pneumonia, said Aneesa Afroze, director of Infection Prevention and Hospital Epidemiology at MercyOne Medical Center.

What is Mycoplasma pneumonia, the cause of walking pneumonia?

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterium that can do that result in respiratory infections. The most common type is bronchitis, a chest cold. Pneumonia is the less common specieswhich causes a lung infection.

The bacteria is spread by inhaling respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

When the infection progresses from a chest cold to pneumonia, it is often less severe than a typical pneumonia and presents as ‘walking pneumonia’.

What are the symptoms of Mycoplasma pneumonia?

It can take one to four weeks for symptoms to appear after someone has been exposed to walking pneumonia. According to the American newspaper, the symptoms can last for several weeks CDC. Some people who are infected show no symptoms.

Symptoms include:

• Feeling tired

• Fever

• Headache

• Slowly worsening cough

• A sore throat

What are the symptoms of walking pneumonia in children?

Children 5 years and younger may have the following symptoms instead of chest cold symptoms.

• Diarrhea

• Sneezing

• A sore throat

• Stuffed or runny nose

• Vomiting

• Watery eyes

• Wheezing

How to treat mycoplasma pneumonia?

Most people will recover without medications, however some cases may need to be treated with antibiotics.

Over-the-counter medications can also help during recovery.

Help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases

To help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as pneumonia CDC recommends the following:

• Stay up to date on vaccinations

• Maintain good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly

• Take measures for cleaner air, such as opening doors/windows; replacing the filter for central heating, ventilation or air conditioning; moving activities outside the home

• Take precautions, such as keeping your distance from others for at least five days and wearing a mask when you are around others

If you think you or someone you know may have a Mycoplasma pneumonia infection, see a healthcare provider.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.

This article originally appeared on the Des Moines Register: The number of cases of walking pneumonia in children is increasing. What are the symptoms?