What is Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia is a term used to describe a case of pneumonia that isn’t serious enough to require hospitalization or extended bed rest. If you’re concerned you or a child may be exhibiting symptoms of walking pneumonia, here’s what you should know.
What Causes it?
Caused by bacteria, walking pneumonia is an infection of the upper and lower respiratory tract. Also known as atypical pneumonia, it is less severe than other types of pneumonia and often occurs without any noticeable symptoms. In some instances, walking pneumonia may be mistaken as a common cold or go unnoticed entirely. In most cases, people are able to go about their normal routines without treatment.
What Are the Symptoms?
Walking pneumonia usually causes mild symptoms that resemble those caused by the common cold. These include:
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Inflammation within in the windpipe and its branches
• Persistent, productive cough
Sometimes, people will also experience additional symptoms, including:
• Chills
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid or labored breathing
• Flu-like symptoms
• Chest pain
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
When cold symptoms persist longer than a week, this can be a sign of walking pneumonia. At the same time, symptoms can also vary depending on the location of the infection.
When to Visit PhysicianOne Urgent Care
While most people recover from walking pneumonia without needing to visit urgent care, you should seek an examination if you or your child experience any sort of breathing difficulties, chest pain, dizziness or a fever of 101°F or higher. You should also seek an exam if you cough up blood-tinged or rust-colored mucus, since all of these symptoms may suggest a more serious case of pneumonia.
If you believe you may have pneumonia, PhysicianOne Urgent Care providers are available 7 days a week, with no appointment needed, to diagnosis and treat walking pneumonia and other respiratory infection. Find a location near you and check-in online today!
