According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of bacterial pneumonia are increasing in young children.

Pneumonia, a common lung infection, can be caused by multiple sources, including bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. However, the CDC says cases caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae have increased over the past six months “since late spring and have remained high” and have mainly affected children.

In particular, more cases caused by M. pneumoniae in younger children are “noteworthy,” the CDC said in an Oct. 18 message.

According to the CDC, cases have increased from about 1% to more than 7% in 2 to 4-year-olds and from about 3% to more than 7% in older children between 5 and 17 years old.

“That may not seem like much,” said medical officer Dr. ABC News’ Darien Sutton on “Good Morning America” ​​on the increase in cases. “But we’re at the beginning of this viral season, so we don’t know what to expect yet.”

Why should parents worry about pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae?

According to the CDC, cases of M. pneumoniae infections occur most often in children between the ages of 5 and 17 and in young adults.

“Walking pneumonia can be caused by a number of different things, but in pediatrics it is most commonly caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma,” Sutton said, later adding that it can take up to six weeks to recover from this type of pneumonia.

What are the symptoms of bacterial pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae?

M. pneumoniae can cause damage to the respiratory tract, including the throat, trachea and lungs.

Symptoms of an M. pneumoniae infection are similar to those of a chest cold and can include fever, cough and sore throat, but in some cases can also lead to what is known as ‘walking pneumonia’, where symptoms appear mild.

In children under 5 years of age, M. pneumoniae infections can cause different symptoms than the chest cold symptoms that older children and adults may experience. They include:

• Diarrhea
• Sneezing
• A sore throat
• Stuffed or runny nose
• Vomiting
• Watery eyes
• Wheezing

“Any child under the age of 5 is also susceptible to what we call nonspecific symptoms that can easily mimic other types of infections and will be different than what we see in that older population,” says Dr. Jade Cobern, a pediatrician and member of the ABC. News Medical Unit. “In this younger age group, it may be common for these children to have really generalized symptoms that may not involve the respiratory tract at all.”

If someone has a severe case, hospitalization may be required. Symptoms of more serious infections include worsening of asthma, new development of asthma, severe pneumonia, or encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

“This type of infection can start very slowly and the symptoms can last longer than what we see with other types of pneumonia. And so if children have symptoms that actually aren’t getting better, if they’re having trouble breathing, they need to be seen right away,” said Cobern.

What are common symptoms of pneumonia in children?

Other types of pneumonia may have similar to slightly different symptoms from cases of pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae. They include:

• Chest pain when breathing or coughing
• Altered mental status (confusion)
• Cough
• Fatigue (feeling tired)
• Fever or chills
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Shortness of breath

How does an M. pneumoniae infection spread?

An M. pneumoniae infection can be contagious. When a sick person coughs or sneezes, bacteria in the respiratory droplets can be exhaled and someone else can inhale the bacteria.

What is the treatment for bacterial pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae?

Some people with M. pneumoniae infections can recover on their own, and over-the-counter medications can provide relief from symptoms.

Others may need medications, such as certain antibiotics called macrolides.

M. pneumonia is naturally resistant to certain antibiotics commonly used to treat other types of bacterial pneumonia.

How can M. pneumoniae infections be prevented?

The CDC recommends practicing good hygiene to prevent bacterial pneumonia infections, including washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.

“This is a contagious, contagious organism, so you want to make sure you wear a mask and wash your hands,” Sutton said. “But if you are at risk — for example, young children under age 2, adults over age 65, people with weakened immune systems — you will want to get tested because you may be a candidate for antibiotics to help treat your infection.”