What is Walking Pneumonia?

The term "walking pneumonia" is frequently used to describe pneumonia that isn't severe enough to require bed rest or hospitalization. It is also called atypical pneumonia. Just about anybody can acquire walking pneumonia. If a person suffering from walking pneumonia sneezes or coughs, it can prove to be dangerous, as the bacterium responsible for causing walking pneumonia can spread through air.

Walking pneumonia is an inflammation of the lung caused by Legionella sp., Mycoplasma sp. and even Chlamydophila sp. These organisms are responsible for around 70% of the pneumonia cases in school-going children every year. Walking pneumonia in itself is not dangerous; however, in case of a person with a compromised immune system, it can prove to be fatal (a person's immune system maybe compromised on account of a disease the person is already suffering from, or any immune system related disorder).

Walking pneumonia most frequently affects people below forty years of age. Unlike normal pneumonia, however, a person suffering from walking pneumonia can go about doing his daily chores, he/she need not necessarily be required to take bed-rest.

Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia, in its early stages, is asymptomatic; i.e. no visible symptoms are observed in the patient. However, the following symptoms may become evident in due course of time -

• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Severe pain in ears, eye, muscles, and chest and abdominal area.
• Rashes
• Sore throat developed by constant cough.
• Lethargy, sluggishness or reduction in energy levels.
• Occurrence of sudden chills.
• Runny nose
• Cold (As the severity of cold increases, the pneumonia reaches the patient's chest)
• Patient may have mild to severe headache, along with fever and throat problems
• Patient may experience low and rapid breathing at times.

The symptoms intensify over a period of two weeks until the illness affects the lungs. Good personal hygiene is the best way to prevent spreading of the bacteria as well as acquiring the disease. Currently, there is no effective vaccine for the prevention of walking pneumonia.

Clinical Tests
A chest x-ray is essential to rule out the possibility of bronchitis (since symptoms of bronchitis overlap with those of walking pneumonia). Some physician may also advice to get a throat swab done, or even a urine test. Although these suffice to detect a case of walking pneumonia, followings additional tests maybe required to be carried out, depending on severity of the disease.

• Blood test - including total blood count (to determine number of blood cells, red as well as white) as well as blood culture (to determine and identify causative bacterium)
• Sputum culture
• Chest CT scan
• Bronchoscopy - though not carried out regularly, it may be required as a diagnostic test in severe cases of walking pneumonia

Treatment
Treatment mode and methods largely depend on the severity of the infection. In milder cases, the doctor may prescribe some drugs and send you home. You may well be up and about within a week's time. Usually the doctor will prescribe aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to take care of fever. The antibiotics course usually lasts up to two weeks. Apart from that it is advised to take ample rest. So call on your family to help you get the household chores done.

Antibiotics that are generally prescribed for walking pneumonia include tetracylclines, azithromycin, clarithromycin and erythromycin. Along with drugs, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. Consume ample amounts of fluids - water, as well as electrolytes and fresh fruit juices.

Chlamydophila and Mycoplasma infections are nothing to worry about and will be gotten rid of with the correct therapy. Legionella infections, though, can be a cause of concern. However, we cannot determine at home which of the three bacteria is the culprit in a particular case. It could well be Legionella, or any of the other two bacteria. Hence you should NOT take an instance of walking pneumonia casually. Consult a doctor immediately, and do NOT try to treat it on your own. Legionella cases have been known to cause complications such as kidney failure too. In general, Legionella weakens the immune system and makes you more prone to other infections (secondary infections), sometimes caused by the normal flora of your own body (opportunistic pathogens). Do not try to treat yourself at home, although you may take preventive measures. It is also NOT advisable to consume over-the-counter medications too frequently to treat walking pneumonia. It is best to consult your physician before you medicate yourself.

Walking pneumonia, though a milder form of pneumonia, can still prove to be fatal. The best approach when it comes to diseases is - Prevention is Better Than Cure. Good personal hygiene practices will help you keep almost any disease at bay. Wash your hands with soap and rinse thoroughly with water to keep germs away. Also ask your doctor about flu shots and get one every year. Take care, and stay safe.