Mycoplasma Pneumoniae in Kids: What to Know About this Bacteria

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a type of highly contagious bacteria that causes upper respiratory infections. It can also cause pneumonia, which is often milder than other forms of pneumonia. This is why it’s sometimes called, “walking pneumonia.”

Mycoplasma is on the rise right now in Connecticut, crowding emergency rooms, and parents have questions. Connecticut Children's Physician-in-Chief, Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP, has answers.

1. Should I be worried about my child getting mycoplasma pneumoniae?

There is no reason to panic like many did during the peak of COVID-19, but keep an eye on your child’s cold symptoms. In many cases, kids won’t show severe signs of illness—much like a cold or the flu. But some kids may get hit harder with mycoplasma and need extra medical attention. Here are some mycoplasma emergency room visit data* from the CDC:

For kids 2-4 years old: 1% to 7.2% increase in visits
For kids 5-7 years old: 3.6% to 7.4% increase in visits

*These numbers are from March 31 through October 5, 2024, according to this source.

2. What are the symptoms of mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma symptoms can be almost exactly like other respiratory illnesses, which is why it’s important to see the doctor, and maybe request a chest X-ray, if you suspect anything beyond the norm. While symptoms can take up to four weeks to appear, early signs might look like:

Dry, persistent cough: : Doctors say this is the telltale symptom of mycoplasma. Yes, many other bacteria, viruses and even allergies can cause a dry cough, but take note of how severe it is and how long it lasts. The mycoplasma cough can stay for several weeks, even without any other symptoms.
Low-grade fever: Usually it’s not too high, and some kids might not get a fever at all.
Headache, fatigue and body ache: Similar to the flu or COVID, these can also be telling of a possible mycoplasma infection.
Ear pain and sore throat: Sometimes, mycoplasma can spread to the middle ear, and sometimes kids may get a mild sore throat.

It’s important to note that every child will handle a mycoplasma infection differently. Some kids may have mild symptoms while others might need to visit the hospital.

3. When is mycoplasma a medical emergency?

In general, for most children with a mild or moderate respiratory infection, we recommend you first contact your pediatrician. However, in some cases you may need to call 911 or go to the emergency room. Look out for:

Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
High fever (over 102°F)
Severe chest pain
Difficulty eating
Difficulty attending school because of breathing
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
Signs of dehydration, like dry mouth or urinating noticeably less
Confusion or lethargy

4. How can I prevent my child—and family—from a mycoplasma infection?

Like anything else, completely preventing infections is tough. You can:

Practice good hand hygiene. Here’s how to know if you’re doing it right.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow
Avoid close contact with sick people

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a common childhood illness that can be effectively managed with proper care. Recognizing the symptoms, seeking timely medical advice, and following your doctor's recommendations are crucial steps in ensuring your child's swift recovery.

Further reading:
What you need to know as cases of walking pneumonia are on the rise for children

Juan C. Salazar, MD, MPH, FAAP

Juan Carlos Salazar, MD, MPH, is Professor and Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Executive Vice President and Physician-in-Chief at Connecticut Children’s.

In addition to serving in these roles, Dr. Salazar has led the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology at Connecticut Children’s and has been nationally and internationally recognized for both his outstanding clinical care and his innovative research work. Dr. Salazar has received several National Institutes of Health grants to study the human innate immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi and Treponema pallidum, the causative agents of Lyme disease and syphilis respectively. He is currently funded by the NIH to develop a first of its kind syphilis vaccine. The NIH funded U-19 project includes investigators in China, Malawi, Colombia and the US. Most recently his team received funding from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) to study the pathogenesis of COVID-19 and the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a rare but serious condition associated with COVID-19. He has published over 100 peer reviewed articles and book chapters and has served in multiple scientific review panels at the NIH.

Dr. Salazar also directs the Pediatric and Youth HIV program at the Medical Center. His team has promoted and facilitated regional STD and HIV-prevention programs for at-risk high school youth. Dr. Salazar is the current recipient of Ryan White Care Act federal funding to coordinate and provide statewide HIV treatment and prevention services for women, infants, children and youth. He has conducted several NIH and pharmaceutical industry sponsored pediatric and adolescent HIV clinical trials and long-term follow-up studies.

He received his medical degree from the Universidad Javeriana, in Bogota, Colombia, and his MPH from the University of Minnesota. He completed a residency in Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut Health Center, where he also served as chief resident, and a post-doctoral fellowship in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota. He is board certified in both Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases.