December 2025
Walking pneumonia is a mild lung infection caused by various bacteria and viruses, and it gets its name because kids often don’t feel sick enough to stay home.
Symptoms of walking pneumonia
Symptoms can vary, but they include the following: cough, fatigue, low-grade fever (often 101°F or lower), chills, headache, sore throat, congestion, ear pain, chest or stomach pain, vomiting, trouble eating, fast or labored breathing, wheezing, joint pain, and rashes.
How is walking pneumonia treated?
If the pneumonia is bacterial, treatment typically involves a 5-to-10-day course of antibiotics. Encourage your child to drink fluids throughout the day, especially if they have a fever, and use acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce pain and fever. Avoid OTC cough suppressants unless you consult your child’s pediatrician; coughing helps clear mucus from the lungs.
It may take one to two weeks for the infection to clear up and a month or more for the cough to subside.
Is walking pneumonia contagious?
Yes, walking pneumonia is contagious. However, your child is less likely to pass it on to others once they start antibiotics.
How to prevent spreading
- Keep your child home until symptoms improve and they’ve been on antibiotics for a few days.
- Teach them to sneeze or cough into their elbow or tissue.
- Avoid sharing towels, eating utensils, and drinking glasses. Practice good hand hygiene.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly.
