Researchers call it a potential "game-changer"
If you have asthma, emphysema, or even live or work in very crowded places like schools, dormitories, or the military, then you may be at a higher risk of contracting walking pneumonia.
While anyone can get walking pneumonia, you're more susceptible if you are two years old and younger, or 65 and older. Additionally, if you are immunocompromised or take immunosuppressant medications you can be at a greater risk.
Additional signs can include mild chills, coughing, sneezing, and a headache.
As winter sets in, the CDC has reported that cases of walking pneumonia are surging in kids. Walking pneumonia is an illness that doesn't discriminate by age and can impact anyone who comes in contact with it. Though it may sound and even feel like COVID-19 in some ways, the two are very different. However, both can be dangerous.
In this gallery, you'll find out everything you need to know about walking pneumonia including how it's diagnosed, who is most susceptible, and how to treat it if you contract the virus. Be sure to protect both your family and yourself by knowing more about it.
Curious about walking pneumonia and its warning signs? Click through now to find out more.
When you have walking pneumonia it may feel like you have an awful cold or even the flu. Pay attention to the symptoms and when they begin, as well as their severity.
With walking pneumonia, you are contagious during the incubation period, or two to four weeks before symptoms appear.
Regular pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that causes airways to swell, the air sacs in your lungs to fill with mucus and other fluids, a high fever, and a cough with mucus. Walking pneumonia is usually milder and doesn't require bed rest or hospitalization.
Walking pneumonia is definitely contagious. If someone with walking pneumonia coughs, sneezes, talks, sings, or even breathes around you, then you're likely to inhale the tiny droplets in the air that carry the disease.
Walking pneumonia is quite common and the number of cases fluctuates with spikes every three to seven years. It often occurs during the fall and winter seasons, but it's possible at any time.
A doctor or healthcare provider will do a physical examination and listen to the sound of your heart, lungs, arteries, and abdomen.
The cause of walking pneumonia will determine what treatment is applicable. For example, a doctor might prescribe Macrolife antibiotics such as azithromycin and clarithromycin for children or adults.
The medical professional may also ask whether any friends, coworkers, family, or others you've come in contact with have been sick or had similar symptoms.
A few causes of walking pneumonia include bacteria, viruses, and molds (fungi).
If you are prescribed antibiotics make sure you finish all of them. If you don't, you risk the walking pneumonia coming back and being even more challenging to treat.
Sometimes walking pneumonia will go away on its own but it may take longer. If you have any worries about medications, talk to a doctor.
Walking pneumonia can last four to six weeks and the cough is typically the symptom that lasts the longest.
While walking pneumonia symptoms are usually mild and will go away on their own, it's best to consult a healthcare provider to help determine which treatment (if any) is appropriate.
If there is a chance of an infection in your lungs the healthcare provider may order a chest X-ray. Other tests involve taking a mucus sample or conducting blood tests to determine the cause of the walking pneumonia.
For adults only, providers might prescribe fluoroquinolones like Cipro and Levaquin. It's essential to seek out professional medical advice before beginning any course of treatment.
If you have symptoms for a few days then consider seeking out a doctor's opinion. After you see the doctor, keep them advised of your progress (or lack thereof) as they may prescribe other medications if applicable.
If you do end up getting walking pneumonia the outlook is usually good. Though some symptoms can last for weeks or months, usually, with rest and antibiotics, it goes away quickly.
Some questions that you can (and should) ask your doctor include, "How did I get walking pneumonia," "How should I store my antibiotics," and "Do I need a followup appointment?"
There are no vaccines currently available that prevent walking pneumonia. However, there are some tips to help you prevent contracting it. Be sure to cover your nose and mouth with a tissue if you need to cough or sneeze.
Another tip is to regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. If you're not around soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to kill germs.
Walking pneumonia is a common term for what's known as atypical pneumonia.
While COVID-19 is also a respiratory illness and spreads in a similar way as walking pneumonia, it may have more symptoms. Those symptoms can include loss of taste or smell, body aches, nausea, and even vomiting.
Sources: (CNN Health) (Clevland Clinic)
See also: Norovirus: the "winter vomiting bug" that's contagious
Walking pneumonia is a form of pneumonia that usually leaves you feeling well enough to walk around and even complete daily tasks. Because of this, you may not even realize that you have pneumonia.
Other questions might include, "How do you know I have walking pneumonia," "What other condition might I have if it's not walking pneumonia," or "What treatment do you suggest?"
The first signs that indicate you might have walking pneumonia are a sore throat, fatigue or extreme tiredness, chest pain or discomfort, and/or a low-grade fever.
Walking pneumonia: what it is, and why you should be worried
The CDC reports that cases of walking pneumonia are surging in kids this year
HEALTH Illnesses
As winter sets in, the CDC has reported that cases of walking pneumonia are surging in kids. Walking pneumonia is an illness that doesn't discriminate by age and can impact anyone who comes in contact with it. Though it may sound and even feel like COVID-19 in some ways, the two are very different. However, both can be dangerous.
In this gallery, you'll find out everything you need to know about walking pneumonia including how it's diagnosed, who is most susceptible, and how to treat it if you contract the virus. Be sure to protect both your family and yourself by staying informed.
Curious about walking pneumonia and its warning signs? Click through now to find out more.