Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Walking pneumonia is a less severe form ofpneumoniathat gets its name from the fact that people with the condition can carry on with some of their usual day-to-day activities while sick.
Learn more about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of walking pneumonia.
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Walking Pneumonia Symptoms
The symptoms of walking pneumonia are less severe versions of thesymptoms of pneumonia. These include:
Walking pneumonia is milder than other forms of pneumonia, however it can still be a fairly severe illness. Even if you’re not bedridden, you should try to take it easy to let your bodyrecover from pneumonia.
For most people, the symptoms of walking pneumonia will begin to subside within five days. However, the cough can last for weeks after you have recovered.As long as your cough isn’t getting worse, you shouldn’t be concerned if it sticks around for a while.
Walking Pneumonia vs. Pneumonia: What Are the Differences?
Mycoplasma pneumoniaeis spread through the air. When a person who is infected with the bacteria coughs or sneezes, they can spread microscopic droplets that contain the virus. If you breathe those in, you may become infected.
Sincemycoplasma pneumoniaeis spread through close contact, outbreaks in areas where people live together—including dorms, prisons, and nursing homes—can occur.
If you think you may have walking pneumonia, you should speak with a healthcare provider. Walking pneumonia isdiagnosedthe same way as other forms of pneumonia: through physical examination and imaging.
The healthcare provider might also use imaging of your lungs—including a chest X-ray—to diagnose pneumonia.
If your symptoms suddenly get worse or return after being gone, speak with your healthcare provider. Even walking pneumonia can progress into a more severe form of pneumonia that requires more aggressive treatment.
The Importance of RestRemember, although you may not be bedridden with walking pneumonia, it’s still a serious condition. Give yourself time to heal, remembering that the worst symptoms of walking pneumonia can take up to five days to begin letting up. The cough could last even longer, so be patient with your recovery.
The Importance of Rest
Remember, although you may not be bedridden with walking pneumonia, it’s still a serious condition. Give yourself time to heal, remembering that the worst symptoms of walking pneumonia can take up to five days to begin letting up. The cough could last even longer, so be patient with your recovery.
In general, pneumonia is a treatable condition. Walking pneumonia is even more treatable since it’s a mild form of pneumonia. Almost all people with walking pneumonia will make a full recovery, although it can take weeks for a cough to disappear entirely in some cases.
Most people with walking pneumonia begin to feel much better within a week or two.If you’ve been prescribed antibiotics, be sure to take them all, even if your symptoms begin to go away. Finishing the full course of antibiotics will help ensure that your pneumonia doesn’t come back in a more severe form.
In the meantime, be sure to take it easy and allow yourself the rest your body needs to recover.
Summary
Walking pneumonia is a common condition that can be spread easily, especially in places like dorms, nursing homes, or schools. If you experience walking pneumonia, you might not feel completely “down and out.” Despite that, it’s important that you rest in order to allow your body to heal.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.New CDC study highlights burden of pneumonia hospitalizations among US adults.MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.American Lung Association.What is walking pneumonia?
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.New CDC study highlights burden of pneumonia hospitalizations among US adults.MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.American Lung Association.What is walking pneumonia?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.New CDC study highlights burden of pneumonia hospitalizations among US adults.MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.American Lung Association.What is walking pneumonia?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.New CDC study highlights burden of pneumonia hospitalizations among US adults.
MedlinePlus.Pneumonia.
American Lung Association.What is walking pneumonia?
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