Understanding walking pneumonia: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Siddhartha Jana
Walking pneumonia is a minor lung infection that is sometimes mistaken for a common cold due to symptoms such as coughing, slight fever, and exhaustion.
Source: Canva
In contrast to ordinary pneumonia, it typically doesn't necessitate hospitalisation, and patients can carry on with their regular activities despite some discomfort.
Source: Canva
Stable vital signs can differentiate it from severe pneumonia. Common symptoms include a low-grade fever, a persistent cough, mild sputum production, and sporadic dyspnoea.
Source: Canva
Poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, and exposure to air pollution are risk factors for walking pneumonia, which is caused by atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila.
Source: Canva
The main distinction between walking pneumonia and the common cold is that the former is caused by a virus and usually goes away without treatment, whilst the latter affects the lungs and calls for antibiotics.
Source: Canva
Unlike colds, which do not show any imaging-visible symptoms, walking pneumonia can be diagnosed with the help of chest X-rays that demonstrate lung inflammation.
Source: Canva
Antibiotics, which are necessary for walking pneumonia recovery, are part of the treatment.
Source: Canva
To boost immunity and lower the risk of respiratory infections, preventive methods include a healthy diet, enough sleep, frequent exercise, and avoiding air pollutants.
Source: Canva
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