Colorado doctors see increase in walking pneumonia cases ahead of the holidays

DENVER (KDVR) — Doctors at Children's Hospital Colorado say they are seeing an uptick in the number of walking pneumonia cases.

It's caused by the mycoplasma bacteria and is generally a milder form of pneumonia. But it's notorious for causing a nagging and persistent cough.

 Carrie Bilby's son, Nolan, was sick for weeks. 

"His chest was hurting quite a bit," Bilby said. "It's almost a cough where he won't stop until he starts kind of gagging because it's so intense."

After a chest X-ray, Nolan was diagnosed with pneumonia. The Highlands Ranch teenager was already being treated for strep throat, and after multiple rounds of antibiotics, he is starting to get his energy back, but his mom wants others to be aware.

"I was actually pretty surprised that it was walking pneumonia," Bilby said.

Colorado doctors said they are seeing a resurgence of the illness after the pandemic.

"We've had a significant uptick in cases," said Dr. Kevin Messacar with Children's Hospital Colorado.

He told FOX31 that mycoplasma can cause infections in the lower respiratory system, a cough, difficulty breathing, fever or a sore throat.

"Right now, it's something that we are seeing every day in outpatient pediatric practices. We are certainly hearing from schools and daycares that there are many outbreaks happening in the community. We do expect this surge that we are seeing in mycoplasma will last several months longer," Messacar said.

With so many other illnesses out there right now it can be difficult to differentiate, but the doctor says to seek care if your child has difficulty breathing, can't keep fluids down or has a fever that won't go away.

"Although the vast majority of kids with this do very well, we certainly have had a handful of kids who have needed to come into the hospital get support with things like oxygen," he said.

There are plenty of other illnesses going around right now like RSV, flu, COVID, and whooping cough. So, doctors say take precautions as you gather with your family for the holidays and make sure to stay on top of vaccinations.