Walking Pneumonia: Signs and Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia

Pneumonia occurs when the lungs are inflamed, and its treatment generally requires hospitalization. However, when the lung infection is minor, and the person is treated without hospitalization or strong medications, it's called walking pneumonia. It is also known as community-acquired pneumonia and atypical pneumonia and it affects nearly 2 million Americans each year. The reason it is called walking pneumonia is because it is so mild, that the sufferer can continue to "walk" (I.e easily move around), and do other things normally, rather than being hospitalized. As the symptoms are mild and barely noticeable, most people miss the signs of this atypical pneumonia. Let us take a look at some of the signs and symptoms of walking pneumonia.

Signs and Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia

Walking pneumonia is commonly found in children between the ages of 5 and 15. Walking pneumonia causing mycoplasma pneumoniae is a very small bacterium, and is not highly contagious within the first or second week of its onset. Its onset is so gradual that the spread of the infection is hardly noticed at first. People diagnosed with walking pneumonia never realize they are ill, but mostly complain about feeling exhausted and experience a dip in their energy levels. Exhaustion and malaise is followed by cold and flu-like symptoms such as headache, runny nose, sore throat, and sometimes even fever. Within two weeks the cold gets worse, and the disease settles into the chest, resulting in moist cough and possible hoarseness. If the cough lingers for more than three weeks, the sputum is streaked with blood.

Besides the above, following is a list of other walking pneumonia symptoms:

• Wheezing in the chest
• Chest pain
• Bronchitis
• Mild recurrent fever
• Chills
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Hoarse and troubled breathing
• Nasal stuffiness
• Skin rash
• Muscle aches and pains
• Malaise
• Pain in abdominal area, ears, eyes
• A lump in the neck
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and dehydration
• Fatigue
• Decreased appetite

Although walking pneumonia does not require hospitalization and treatments similar to that of other types of pneumonia, it definitely needs to be treated if it has been lingering for a long time. Walking pneumonia diagnosis is done based on the patterns and occurrences of the patient's symptoms. The doctor will conduct a physical examination and the check the patients breathing pattern. A characteristic throaty sound is a strong indication that the patient might be suffering from walking pneumonia. Sometimes, a chest X-ray is also recommended to check for diffuse infiltrates. To confirm the diagnosis, a blood test as well as a throat swab culture might be recommended. Walking pneumonia is treated with a combination of a lot of rest, intake of fluids, and antibiotics like clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin, and tetracycline. Antibiotics help in stalling the spread of the disease, only if they have been started early in the course of the illness. Young and weak children are more susceptible to be infected with the walking pneumonia contagious bacteria.

Besides the antibiotics, one can also place a damp rag on the forehead and other areas of the body, or take a bath if fever is prevalent. This will help in bringing the body temperature down. To relieve cough, prop the head up on a pillow while resting the body at an inclined position. This will enable the fluid in the lungs to drain out.

Walking pneumonia can occur at any time during the year, and can spread from one person to another through respiratory secretions, coughs and sneezes. This condition can easily affect a number of people living together, probably the reason why it is known as community-acquired pneumonia. Although the signs and symptoms of walking pneumonia are mild, it is best to consult a doctor, as the body becomes weak, and could easily be prone to other diseases.