Illness in kids can be complicated, especially since they tend to struggle with the concept of resting and staying still until they feel better.

Now, there’s a surge of walking pneumonia, a form of lung infection that has milder symptoms and may leave patients feeling less bedbound but can still be very serious. It’s not the only respiratory illness that’s currently on the rise, either.

Here’s what parents should be watching out for.

Walking Pneumonia Surging Across The U.S.

Pneumonia and its milder form, walking pneumonia, can be caused by various bacterial or viral infections of the lungs. According to the CDC, there is currently a surge of one particular bacterial cause: Mycoplasma pneumonia.

These cases have been on the rise since spring and are particularly hitting the youngest patients hard. Though it’s on the rise in all age groups, emergency departments are seeing about 7 times the usual number of patients aged 2 to 4.

The agency explains that this is of particularly high concern because M. pneumoniae is not usually a leading cause of pneumonia in children that young.

What Signs & Symptoms Should Parents Watch For?

Walking pneumonia can look like a cold that keeps hanging on past the point when the symptoms should pass.

It may involve a cough that hangs on for weeks or even months, headaches, chills, sore throat, fatigue, ear pain, chest pain, and other symptoms that resemble the flu. The symptoms can vary depending on the exact location of the infection. According to KidsHealth:

“A child whose infection is in the top or middle part of the lungs will probably have labored breathing. Another whose infection is in the lower part of the lungs (near the belly) may have no breathing problems, but may have an upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting.”

Should I Keep My Child Home From School?

Even if your child feels well enough to go to school, they should stay home if they have walking pneumonia, both because it’s contagious and can worsen without the necessary rest and healing.

Because walking pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae is bacterial, it can be treated with antibiotics and is typically not contagious once the medications start to kick in and symptoms show signs of improving. Most symptoms can be expected to pass in a few weeks with antibiotics, but a cough may still linger for weeks.

Whooping Cough Is Also Surging

There’s also a rise in cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, and experts believe that vaccine avoidance could be a factor. The cases of whooping cough are at more than four times the normal level for this point in the year, according to Healthline.

Specifically, at this point last year, 3,962 cases had been reported. As of early October, this year has already seen at least 17,579 cases.

Whooping cough had dropped to lower levels during the pandemic, possibly attributable to the many additional precautions being taken, including masking, staying home (especially when any respiratory symptoms are present), and increased sanitizing. However, the CDC had predicted that cases would return to pre-pandemic levels of “over 10k cases per year.” The current numbers nearly double that, and it’s only October.

What Precautions Should Parents Take?

Whooping cough can be prevented with routine vaccinations.

The pertussis vaccination is included in the TDAP, which is normally given at 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 15 months, and once more between ages 4 and 6. A dose every ten years is recommended for adults as protection can decrease over time.

Keep infants away from anyone who is not up-to-date on pertussis vaccinations. The illness, which can be milder in adults, is potentially deadly for babies.

While the disease is characterized by the distinctive cough that gives it its name, the Mayo Clinic warns that some infants may not cough at all with the infection. Instead, they may simply struggle to breathe or stop breathing.

For adults and older children, contact a doctor if the cough causes vomiting, if inhaling makes a ‘whooping’ sound, if breathing becomes difficult or temporarily stops, or if it causes the sufferer to turn red or blue. For infants, check with your pediatrician at the first signs.

RSV & Other Respiratory Illness Have Increased Since COVID

It seems there’s been a global rise in infectious disease since the peak of the COVID pandemic.

Researchers are still trying to figure out the full reason, but they believe that one reason is changes to immune systems since COVID, and another is decreased vaccination rates. Bloomberg reported:

“Influenza cases in the US have jumped about 40% in the two post-Covid flu seasons, compared with the pre-pandemic years, according to clinical lab results. Whooping cough, or pertussis, cases have climbed by 45 times in China in the first four months compared with last year. And in some parts of Australia, where flu season is just getting underway, cases of respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, have nearly doubled from a year ago.”

Antivax conspiracy theories aren’t the only reason vaccination levels have dropped. Supply chains were affected during COVID, and access to medical care, especially for routine visits, has been strained.

Experts think a list of other factors, including climate change and wealth inequality, could also contribute.

How Can Parents Protect Children From These Surging Illnesses?

Keep your children’s vaccinations up to date, educate them on the importance of hand-washing, and avoid sharing cups or utensils with others who are sick. Also, teach them not to share cups or utensils with others, and limit who has access to your infants and smaller children.

When your child does get sick, keep them home from school and follow medical advice regarding contagion. If they are prescribed antibiotics, make sure your child finishes the entire course, even if they feel better.

You can also help keep your child’s immune system strong by encouraging a healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, ensuring they stay hydrated, and ensuring they get enough sleep.