Walking Pneumonia Overview:

Walking pneumonia (mycoplasma pneumonia or atypical pneumonia) is a less severe type of pneumonia.  It is characterized by a lung infection and inflammation.  People affected with walking pneumonia do not need to stop daily activities and are not hospitalized.  Treatment is typically antibiotics and symptoms clear up within a week. Walking pneumonia differs from other types of pneumonia because it does not always need treatment.

Walking Pneumonia Causes:

Walking pneumonia is caused by the mycoplasma pneumoniae organism.  These organisms can be transmitted when an affected individual breathes, sneezes, laughs, or coughs.  The cause of walking pneumonia is often airborne infected droplets.  Walking pneumonia can also be caused by influenza and other respiratory infections.  Prolonged exposure to the infected person increases the chances of infection. 

Walking Pneumonia Symptoms:

Walking pneumonia incubates for one to three weeks with the first symptom being a loss of energy.  Soon after, a person will experience cold like symptoms (sore throat, fever, runny nose, and a cough that worsens at night).  Walking pneumonia is distinguishable from a common cold because it continues to worsen after two weeks.