Complications of walking pneumonia

Walking pneumonia-overview

Although many are aware of traditional pneumonia as being very dangerous, being that it is a serious infection of the lungs, not many people know that one type of it, the so called “walking pneumonia” is relatively harmless. It is a moderately minor lung infection that is caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae organism.

The disease itself is so minuscule that it is possible the body can cure it without additional treatment. That is why, it has developed its name, being that a person may do a variety of things while actually being ill. Some patients do not even know that they have it, they only feel fatigue. It is not highly contagious and is most common with children under the age of 15.

However, because people usually don’t need instantaneous bed rest and may non-intentionally pass the infection to others. Although some types of diseases tend to appear during a certain season, that is not the case with this type of pneumonia. It can appear at almost any time of year.

Symptoms

Firstly it presents itself with symptoms not much unlike those for the flu. There is a noticeable reduction in energy, then a sore throat, a headache and, at times, a fever. However, differently from the flu, it gradually worsens over the course of two weeks. And, because the cough may be worse at night, some find it unbelievably hard to sleep.

Children may have different symptoms than adults. A skin rash may be present, nausea, or diarrhea. If a child has swollen glands and has difficulty breathing, this should be treated as an emergency. The air paths may close, causing the child to be unable to breathe altogether.

Complications

When one notices symptoms of walking pneumonia, he should immediately see the doctor. In most cases, it is extremely treatable with the help of some antibiotics that will be prescribed. Antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for walking pneumonia include tetracylclines, clarithromycin and erythromycin. The benefit of taking them over trying to get rid of the disease yourself is that you will get better in a week or less.

However, if the condition is left untreated, various complications have been known to appear, the most serious being ear infections (which can present itself with fever, earache, nausea and dulled hearing), croup (a respiratory condition, appears as swelling in the throat and an inability to breathe normally), and bronchitis. All of which can lead to other health problems.

So, for the sake of one’s health, a person should see the doctor as soon as any of the symptoms occur. Because, although it is sometimes harmless, walking pneumonia can be very damaging to one’s health.