A lot of people think you have to be older or in the hospital to get pneumonia.
However, pneumonia can happen to anyone at any age.
Mycoplasma pneumonia is more widely known aswalking pneumonia.
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Researchers believe this common bacterial infection affects 2 million people every year.
However, this doesnt make it less serious than other cases of pneumonia.
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What Is Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia is a lung infection.
It is often milder than other forms of pneumonia.
Why Is It Called “Walking Pneumonia”?
Symptoms
Walking pneumonia may come on slowly, or it may hit you immediately.
You also will likely have an X-ray done.
For most people, having a formal lab test checking for the mycoplasma pneumonia bacteria is overkill.
Confirming that your symptoms are triggered by a specific bacterium doesnt drastically change treatment in any way.
In general, if youre able to complete treatment at home, most testing is not necessary.
Treatment
Treatment for pneumonia depends on a wide variety of factors.
Some people can treat their pneumonia at home, while others need hospital treatment.
Although, with walking pneumonia, hospitalization is not likely.
Since walking pneumonia comes from bacteria and not a virus, the infection can be treated with antibiotics.
Most people start to feel better about two days after starting their antibiotics.
However, its crucial to finish the entire course of antibiotics unless your healthcare provider instructs otherwise.
You may also consider taking Tylenol or ibuprofen to help with any fevers you experience.
Cough Medicine
When you have a cough, taking cough medicine feels like an obvious addition.
This is why doctors wont recommend taking cough medicine around the clock.
However, its OK to take cough medicine so you could sleep well.
While recovering from any form of pneumonia, its vital to get plenty of rest.
Keep in mind that resting does not mean sleeping all dayunless you want to.
During the initial week of recovery, rest is about taking it easy.
This isnt the time to deep-clean the house, organize a closet, or pull weeds.
Coughing and sneezing allow tiny droplets to carry the bacteria through the air.
When the next person breathes in these small droplets, the bacteria begin to replicate and infect the body.
Cleveland Clinic.Atypical (walking) pneumonia.
MedlinePlus.Community-acquired pneumonia in adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Mycoplasma pneumoniaeinfection: causes and how it spreads.
