What is walking pneumonia

Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Walking pneumonia: What does it mean?

Products and services. What is walking pneumonia? How is it different from regular pneumonia? Answer From Eric J. Olson, M. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.

Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Goldman L, et al. Mycoplasma infections. Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you.

Our service is free and we are here to help you. What Is Walking Pneumonia? Back to Each Breath Blog. To reduce your risk of infection, follow these tips and learn more about avoiding pneumonia : Get a flu vaccine each year to help prevent getting pneumonia caused by the flu. Talk to your doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccine there is no vaccine for viral or mycoplasma pneumonia, but certain individuals should get vaccinated for pneumococcal pneumonia.

Exercise, eat a well-balanced diet and get adequate sleep. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Don't smoke. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze and encourage others to as well to help prevent spread of these infections. Related Blogs. If you breathe those in, you may become infected. Since mycoplasma pneumoniae is spread through close contact, outbreaks in areas where people live together—including dorms, prisons, and nursing homes—can occur.

Walking pneumonia is diagnosed the 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. Since walking pneumonia is caused by bacteria and viruses, it can be treated with antibiotics. Because of that, you should reach out to a healthcare provider if you believe that you might have walking pneumonia.

Follow these pointers for treating your walking pneumonia at home:. 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. 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. In the meantime, be sure to take it easy and allow yourself the rest your body needs to recover. Walking pneumonia is a common condition that can be spread easily, especially in places like dorms, nursing homes, or schools.

Although walking pneumonia is not particularly serious, you should still speak with a healthcare provider if you have symptoms. Since walking pneumonia is caused by bacteria and viruses, it can be treated with antibiotics, which only your healthcare provider can prescribe. As you recover from walking pneumonia, be sure not to do too much too soon.

Although this is a milder form of pneumonia, your body could still need weeks or months to recover entirely. 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. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Updated January 4, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Updated July 14, American Lung Association. What is walking pneumonia?