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What Is Walking Pneumonia?

Margaret Lipman
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Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 17,827
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Walking pneumonia or atypical pneumonia is a mild form of pneumonia which is characterized by a state of relatively good health on the part of the patient. In fact, most cases will resolve on their own if left untreated, and sometimes doctors allow it to do just that. Treatments are available for prolonged cases, or cases which look like they might become more serious without treatment, such as infections in people with compromised immune systems.

Causes of Walking Pneumonia

The most common cause of walking pneumonia is a bacterium known as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, although this condition can also be viral in origin. The condition is caused by an inflammation of the lungs which causes the victim to experience a harsh cough, often combined with a fever, stomach pains, and sometimes chills or aches and pains. It typically takes one to three weeks from the onset of infection for walking pneumonia to emerge.

The disease is spread through the air via tiny droplets from the nose and throats of infected persons. Community-wide outbreaks generally occur in the late summer and autumn every four to eight years.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

When someone has a case of walking pneumonia, he or she usually feels well enough to get around, with a sense of being generally run-down. Many people are not even aware that they have pneumonia, as their immune systems successfully fight the bacteria off on their own. However, people are still contagious, so they can pass the bacterium on to others.

Atypical pneumonia, or walking pneumonia, is so called because the lung infection persists even after other symptoms, such as fever and sore throat, dissipate. It is characterized by a dry cough that worsens at night and eventually produces discolored sputum that might be streaked with blood. Other symptoms can include wheezing or crackles in the chest, chills, a skin rash, muscle aches and diarrhea.

Treatment for Walking Pneumonia

Walking pneumonia can become an issue in someone with asthma or other lung conditions, as the inflammation may exacerbate breathing and lung problems. In these individuals, treatment is strongly recommended, and typically antibiotics are prescribed to kill the bacteria, along with bronchiodilators to keep the bronchial tubes clear, ensuring that the patient does not struggle to breathe. Antibiotics may also be given to patients with persistent cases of walking pneumonia.

Treatment for walking pneumonia almost always includes antibiotics such as erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin or tetracyline. For a mild case, typical treatment for walking pneumonia might include oral antibiotics, bed rest and a diet of clear fluids. Severe cases might require a hospital stay, during which intravenous antibiotics and oxygen are administered. Most patients respond very well to antibiotics for walking pneumonia. Patients are advised to complete the full regimen of antibiotic treatment for walking pneumonia, to prevent the infection from returning.

Some doctors feel that this infection should be allowed to run its course, as overuse of antibiotics can be dangerous. Patients are usually encouraged to drink lots of fluids, eat well, and exercise, if possible, to stimulate and support the immune system. They may also be advised to stay away from people with compromised immune systems.

After the bacterial infection is under control through antibiotics, patients who have walking pneumonia are advised to continue to recuperate with bed rest and fluids. The symptoms will improve rapidly, but full recovery will take time. Fever can be controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen. Cough expectorants and suppressants should be avoided unless directed by the physician.

Prevention

Some measures can be used to prevent a case of walking pneumonia, such as washing your hands, ensuring that people cover their mouths while coughing, and eating well to keep the body healthy. These measures will also go a long way towards preventing other sources of bacterial and viral infection.

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Margaret Lipman
By Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range of topics. Her articles cover essential areas such as finance, parenting, health and wellness, nutrition, educational strategies. Margaret's writing is guided by her passion for enriching the lives of her readers through practical advice and well-researched information.
Discussion Comments
By Buster29 — On Sep 20, 2014

I've always heard people talking a bad cold turning into walking pneumonia, but I don't know if it's actually possible. Colds are usually caused by viruses, and according to this article walking pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria. It's more of a lung infection. I've had it before, and I usually didn't have all of those nasal and sinus congestion problems associated with a cold. I mostly had a hacking cough that wouldn't go away.

My biggest problem is that walking pneumonia is contagious, and my job involves a lot of contact with people. If I ever get diagnosed with walking pneumonia, I usually volunteer to stay home until I feel better. I especially don't want to pass on walking pneumonia to children, and there a lot of them who come into my restaurant.

By mrwormy — On Sep 19, 2014

I have probably had walking pneumonia a few times and didn't know it. The walking pneumonia symptoms described in the article sound really familiar to me. The one time I did actually go to the emergency room, the doctor prescribed some antibiotics and told me to stay home from work if I could. If I had to go into public places, he urged me not to shake hands with anyone and cover my face when I coughed.

Other than the severe coughing and washed out feeling, I could still do just about anything I felt like doing.

Margaret Lipman
Margaret Lipman
With years of experience as an educator, Margaret Lipman produces thoughtful and informative content across a wide range...
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