What Is Walking Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is a milder form of pneumonia that may not require bed rest or hospitalization and, with treatment, may only last for a few days. Also called atypical or mycoplasma pneumonia, it results in symptoms similar to those of a bad common cold.

The illness is contagious, as it's spread by respiratory droplets from actions like coughing or sneezing. You may also not know you have walking pneumonia.

Treatment for walking pneumonia may include antibiotics or cough medications. Preventative measures can help reduce the spread. Read on to learn more.

What Are the Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia signs can include:

• Chest pain
• Chills
• Coughing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• A headache

Generally speaking, walking pneumonia symptoms appear one to four weeks after you’ve been infected, and some symptoms can last a week to a month or longer.

For example, coughing up a mix of mucus and saliva—also called sputum—can be a sign of walking pneumonia or another type of pneumonia. That cough may last several weeks, well after the infection is gone.

What Causes It?

Viruses or bacteria cause walking pneumonia, the most common cause being bacteria called Mycoplasma pneumoniae. You can get exposure to the viruses and bacteria that cause pneumonia from exposure to those germs. Pneumonia in any form is easily transmissible through coughing and sneezing.

Risk Factors

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is widespread and can infect people younger than 40 and older adults. The bacteria can also spread among individuals who live or work in crowded situations.

Bacterial pneumonia, in general, can occur on its own or develop after you've had a viral cold or the flu, and those at greatest risk are people:

• Recovering from surgery
• Who have weakened immune systems
• With respiratory disease or viral infection
  

How Is Walking Pneumonia Diagnosed?

Infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae can go underdiagnosed because of how mild symptoms can be. You'll usually get a physical exam to diagnose walking pneumonia, and a healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history.

In some cases, other tests may be necessary, such as:

• Blood test: A provider may take a sample of your blood to help determine which bacteria is the reason for your illness.
• Chest X-ray: This test allows the provider to see a picture of your lungs and get an idea of how much of your lungs have been affected.
• Sputum culture: A provider takes a sample of your sputum to help determine which bacteria are causing pneumonia.

How Is It Treated?

If you are diagnosed with walking pneumonia, you will typically be prescribed antibiotics. When started early, antibiotics can help you recover faster.

You can also make yourself more comfortable with plenty of rest and fluids. Over-the-counter antihistamines (for nasal congestion), cough medications, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for pain and discomfort) may ease some symptoms. Always check with a healthcare provider before giving any of these meds to a child.

Walking Pneumonia Prevention

Walking pneumonia spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes. To reduce your risk of infection, follow these tips:

• Get a flu vaccine
• Get a COVID-19 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
  

In addition, avoid sharing cups, toothbrushes, and utensils. Doing so can help reduce the risk of spreading germs to others.

Complications

Although walking pneumonia usually isn't life-threatening, it can be. It may also lead to complications like:

• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)—a condition of low oxygen in the blood
• Encephalitis—inflammation of the brain
• Hemolytic anemia—a condition where the body destroys red blood cells, lowering their availability in a person's blood
• Lung damage
• Meningitis—inflammation of the tissues lining the brain
• Respiratory failure

Go to a healthcare provider if your symptoms get worse instead of better. You'll also want to see a provider any time you have a lingering cough. Long-term coughing can be a sign of lung diseases like:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pulmonary fibrosis—a lung disease characterized by inflamed or scarred air sacs within the lungs
  

A Quick Review

Walking pneumonia is still pneumonia—just a mild case of the illness. It's most often caused by bacteria and is spread from person to person through coughing, sneezing, and other respiratory germs.

The symptoms of walking pneumonia are sometimes so mild that you can keep up with your daily routine. It may feel like a bad cold with symptoms like cough, fever, chest pain, mild chills, and headache. Like any infectious disease, it's important to rest and take care of yourself to recover.