What is walking pneumonia?

What is walking pneumonia?

Neumonía is the inflammation of the tissue in one or both lungs. Typically, it is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. This infection leads to the air sacs in your lungs being filled with fluid, which makes it harder for oxygen to reach your bloodstream.

Walking pneumonia is an informal term for a mild case of pneumonia¹. However, it still is a lung infection.

The symptoms of typical pneumonia can cause a cough which may contain green, yellow or blood-tinged mucus, difficulty breathing, a rapid pulse, high temperature, gripe-like symptoms such as sweating or shivering, dolor en el pecho and fatigue. Walking pneumonia symptoms are slightly vaguer.

The symptoms of walking pneumonia include:

• Dolor de cabeza

• Alta temperatura

• Tos

• General cansancio - fatigue.

Sometimes, the symptoms can feel like a bad cold. However, in some cases of pneumonia, different types of atypical bacteria - bacteria that are different to the regular ones that cause pneumonia - can cause severe symptoms which may require hospital care.

It is possible to catch pneumonia from an infected person. Contact with them, coughing or sneezing can transfer the virus or bacteria. Bacteria and viruses that cause pneumonia can also be transferred by touching a surface an infected person has come into contact with.

However, not everybody exposed to pneumonia-causing bacteria or viruses will develop pneumonia as their immune system may be able to fight it.

To prevent pneumonia from spreading it's important to cover your mouth when you cough and wash your hands regularly.

Walking pneumonia doesn’t normally require treatment in hospital. The symptoms - a cough, high temperature and fatigue - can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as paracetamol and bed rest if it is caused by a virus. It’s also important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Soft foods and lozenges may help to minimise irritation in the garganta.

The symptoms of walking neumonía usually go away within three to five days. However, if the symptoms remain or get worse, it’s important to visit your doctor.

You should speak to your doctor if your cough lasts for weeks or there is weight loss but call an ambulance if you experience the following pneumonia symptoms:

• Fast técnica de respiración.

• Falta de aliento o dolor en el pecho.

• Tos con sangre.

• Confusion or drowsiness.

You should go to hospital if you experience severe symptoms such as trouble breathing or a very high temperature.

If the pneumonia is caused by bacteria instead of a virus, it may need to be treated with antibiotics.

1. British Medical Journal: Atypical pneumonia