Walking Pneumonia

al7139, ASN, RN · Apr 4, 2009

Hi,

Hope this helps.

Walking Pneumonia is also known as Atypical Pneumonia or Mycoplasma Pneumonia. It is caused by M. pneumoniae, an organism with no cell wall, making it resistant to cell wall active antibiotics. It is the most common cause of pneumonia in kids age 5-12, young adults and the elderly. It is associated with crowded conditions in the fall and winter.

It is transmitted through droplets and has a 2-3 week incubation.

Patients can be asymptomatic, or have a sudden onset of symptoms, which include fever, chills, headache, malaise, anorexia, and myalgia (muscle pain). These are often followed by a dry hacking cough, sore throat, and blood streaked sputum. The fever lasts from several days to 2 weeks.

X Ray would show infiltrates, consolidation, and emphysema. Auscultation would hear crackles.

With walking pneumonia, hospitalization is rarely needed, and the patient can be treated with PO Erythromycin or Doxycycline, NSAIDS, and Antipyretics.

I actually had this as a teen, and I really did not feel all that sick, but I remember being out of school for almost 3 weeks.

Amy

dvdmiller29 · Apr 6, 2009

i was diagnosed with the same whn i was 14 i guess....now i knw wht treatment i went thru:up:

richardw91 · Apr 6, 2009

thnx a lot Amy :up:

appreciate your help