Walking Pneumonia is On the Rise - Here’s How to Protect Your Family

Coughs and runny noses are common this time of year, but Doylestown Health Emergency Medicine Physician Brenda Foley, MD, says that nagging cough you or your loved one has could be a symptom of walking pneumonia. “Physicians at Doylestown Health have seen an increase in walking pneumonia cases compared to previous years, especially among children and teens,” she says.

Because walking pneumonia symptoms are generally mild to moderate, many people may mistake the condition for a cold or the flu. However, Dr. Foley says unlike a cold or the flu, you may need an antibiotic to treat walking pneumonia.

What is Walking (Atypical) Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes fluid or mucus to accumulate in your lungs. Walking pneumonia, or atypical pneumonia, is a mild form of pneumonia generally caused by bacteria, viruses or mold.

The main difference between walking pneumonia and “regular” pneumonia is the fact that walking pneumonia is rarely serious or requires hospitalization. Unfortunately, walking pneumonia is very contagious and can be spread by coughing, sneezing or breathing near someone who has it. “Walking pneumonia gets its name from the fact that many people with the condition feel well enough to carry on with their daily activities. That also means they may be around other people, which makes it easy to spread walking pneumonia throughout the community,” says Dr. Foley.

Although walking pneumonia can affect anyone, it is most common in children between the ages of five and 15. It can cause serious complications for infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia

There are many symptoms associated with walking pneumonia. Most are mild to moderate and mimic flu and cold symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Chest pain
• Cough that lasts weeks or months
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Low grade fever (below 101 F)
• Runny nose
• Sore throat

Your healthcare provider will diagnose you with walking pneumonia based on a physical exam, which includes listening to your lungs with a stethoscope. Sometimes, your doctor may order a chest X-ray. If you have walking pneumonia, your chest X-ray will show areas or patches of white in one or both lungs. In comparison, regular pneumonia generally appears in one lung and the infection covers more area.

Treatment for Walking Pneumonia

Although walking pneumonia may go away without treatment, Dr. Foley says it may take significantly longer to resolve and could lead to complications.” she says. “It’s always best to see your healthcare provider if you suspect you have walking pneumonia.  Depending on the suspected cause, antibiotics are likely to be prescribed.”

Dr. Foley says that if you have walking pneumonia, you can expect to be on antibiotics for five to ten days. In addition to antibiotics, Dr. Foley suggests:

• Consider using a humidifier
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Rest
• Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen

You can expect to feel better within three to five days of starting an antibiotic, but Dr. Foley warns your cough may last for several weeks. If you begin to experience dizziness, trouble breathing or notice dark brown or bloody mucus, you should call your healthcare provider immediately.

Prevent Walking Pneumonia and Other Respiratory Infections

Dr. Foley says you can prevent walking pneumonia by using the same methods you would use to prevent other respiratory illnesses.

• Avoid contact with those who are sick
• Cover your mouth when you cough
• Get your flu vaccine yearly
• Wash your hands frequently (for at least 20 seconds)

There are vaccines available to prevent pneumonia in older adults, however, the vaccine does not cover walking pneumonia and is not available to children and young adults.

Meet the Provider

Brenda Foley, MD, is an emergency medicine physician at Doylestown Hospital. She has over 25 years of experience in the medical field.