Walking pneumonia what is it

Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. What Is Walking Pneumonia? Back to Each Breath Blog. To reduce your risk of infection, follow these tips and learn more about avoiding pneumonia : Get a flu vaccine each year to help prevent getting pneumonia caused by the flu. Talk to your doctor about getting a pneumonia 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. The symptoms are generally so mild that you don't feel you need to stay home from work or school, so you are out walking around. Chances are you won't see a doctor for your mild symptoms. If you do see a doctor, you may not seem sick enough to need a chest X-ray, which is the way to diagnose any kind of pneumonia. Walking pneumonia is often caused by a type of bacterium that produces milder symptoms that come on more gradually than do those of other types of pneumonia.

The illness often is brought home by young children who contract it at school. Family members of infected children typically begin having symptoms two or three weeks later. This kind of pneumonia can be treated with an antibiotic. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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These include: Your age. People older than 65 are at increased risk because the immune system becomes less able to fight off infection as you age. Your environment. Regularly breathing in dust, chemicals, air pollution, or toxic fumes can damage your lungs. This makes your lungs more vulnerable to infection. Your lifestyle. Habits such as smoking cigarettes or abusing alcohol can increase your risk.

Smoking damages the lungs, while alcohol interferes with how your body fights infection. Your immune system. If you are hospitalized, especially in an ICU. Being in the ICU intensive care unit raises your risk of pneumonia. Your risk increases if you are using a ventilator to help you breathe.

Ventilators make it hard for you to cough and can trap germs that cause infection in your lungs. If you have recently had major surgery or a serious injury. Recovering from major surgery or injury can make it difficult for you to cough. Recovery also typically requires a lot of bed rest. Lying down on your back for an extended period of time can allow fluid or mucus to gather in your lungs.

This gives bacteria a place to grow. People who have any of the following conditions are also at increased risk: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD asthma heart disease emphysema diabetes sickle cell disease You can help prevent pneumonia by doing the following: Get the flu vaccine each year.

People can develop bacterial pneumonia after a case of the flu. You can reduce this risk by getting the yearly flu shot. Get the pneumococcal vaccine. This helps prevent pneumonia caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Smoking damages your lungs and makes it harder for your body to defend itself from germs and disease. If you smoke, talk to your family doctor about quitting as soon as possible. Practice a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables. Exercise regularly. Get plenty of sleep. These things help your immune system stay strong. Avoid sick people.

Being around people who are sick increases your risk of catching what they have. Is there a vaccine for pneumonia? Getting the pneumonia vaccine is especially important if you: Are 65 years of age or older. Have certain chronic conditions, such as asthma, lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, sickle cell disease, or cirrhosis. Have cochlear implants an electronic device that helps you hear. Pneumonia treatment Treatment for pneumonia depends on several factors. If a fungus is causing your pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal medicine.

Symptoms can also vary based on where the infection is. For example, an infection in the upper respiratory tract will cause more labored breathing , while an infection in the lower respiratory tract, including the lungs , may cause nausea , vomiting , or an upset stomach. Symptoms in children : Children, infants, and toddlers may show the same symptoms as adults.

But even if your child feels okay enough to go to school, he should stay at home until his symptoms improve. Read more: Walking pneumonia in children ». Walking pneumonia symptoms differ from those of bronchitis. Bronchitis affects the bronchial tubes, not the small airways of the lungs.

With bronchitis , you typically experience a productive cough. A productive cough is one that brings up mucus that is clear, white, green, or yellowish-grey in color. You may also experience a runny nose, fatigue, and sneezing. If you suspect you have bronchitis instead of walking pneumonia, click here to learn more about the condition. Walking pneumonia is commonly brought home by children from school. Families who contract the infection will show symptoms two to three weeks later. There are three types of bacteria that cause walking pneumonia.

Chlamydial pneumonia: Children who are in school are more likely to be infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae bacterium.

It mostly affects older adults, those with chronic illnesses, and weakened immune systems. About 5, cases are found each year in the United States. You may not visit a doctor for your symptoms.