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  • With Mayo Clinic emeritus internist

    Edward C. Rosenow III, M.D.

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Question

Walking pneumonia: What does it mean?

What is walking pneumonia? How is it different from regular pneumonia?

Answer

from Edward C. Rosenow III, M.D.

Walking pneumonia is an informal term for pneumonia that isn't severe enough to require bed rest or hospitalization. You usually aren't sick enough 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 only way to diagnose any kind of pneumonia.

Walking pneumonia is often caused by a type of bacterium that produces milder symptoms that appear 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 usually doesn't need treatment with an antibiotic.

References
  1. Baum SG. Mycoplasma infections. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Jan. 24, 2011.
  2. Rosenow EC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 26, 2011.
AN00137 March 26, 2011

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