How Did I Get Walking Pneumonia And How Can I Avoid Getting It Again
Mycoplasma pneumoniae spreads from person-to-person through respiratory droplets the same way viruses like COVID-19 or influenza spread. When someone with the bacteria coughs or sneezes, they release droplets into the air and you can breathe them in. You can also get it from touching objects or surfaces that have the bacteria on them and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
People usually start having symptoms 2 to 3 weeks after they are exposed to the bacteria.
Theres no vaccine for mycoplasma pneumoniae. The best ways to keep from getting sick are frequent hand washing and staying apart from people who have symptoms of a cold.
If youre sick, help keep others healthy by washing your hands, staying home when possible, and covering your nose and mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
What Are The Symptoms Of Walking Pneumonia
Symptoms generally appear 15 to 25 days after exposure to the mycoplasma and develop slowly over a period of two to four days. Symptoms include:
- cough that may come in violent spasms but produce very little mucus
- lingering weakness that may persist after other symptoms go away
Some people with walking pneumonia may also have an ear infection, anemia, or a skin rash.
Best Home Remedies For Pneumonia:
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Lets learn how to treat your pneumonia with simple solutions that you can brew up at home in minutes. One of these 21 remedies is sure to solve your problem.
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Crowded Indoor Conditions Increase Your Risk
Generally speaking, young children and teens are at greatest risk for walking pneumonia but anyone could be affected, particularly if they live or work in crowded settings, such as schools, college dorms, military barracks and nursing homes.
Walking pneumonia is spread by droplet particles usually within a few feet of an individual when they cough.
Those recovering from a recent respiratory illness, or those who have a weakened immune system, may also have an increased risk for walking pneumonia. Specifically, any patient that has an underlying lung disease, like asthma, emphysema or COPD and the elderly are at a higher risk for any type of infection, especially pneumonia.
These higher-risk patients are also more likely to have a more severe case of walking pneumonia, which can lead to complications, such as serious pneumonia, asthma attacks, swelling of the brain, kidney problems and certain skin conditions.
Walking Pneumonia Vs Bronchitis Symptoms
Both bronchitis and walking pneumonia have similar symptoms, but the two diseases are not the same. Bronchitis affects the bronchial tubes, not the small airways of the lungs.
Bronchitis symptoms may include:
- runny, stuffy nose
- shortness of breath
The main difference is that the recovery time tends to be shorter with acute bronchitis than with pneumonia. But recovering from chronic bronchitis may take a long time.
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What Causes Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia is frequently caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This bacteria can spread and cause walking pneumonia in a number of ways, but the most common is a lung infection. You should note that walking pneumonia is contagious, so be sure to limit social interactions while you recover to prevent spreading this illness to others. Its not a super-contagious disease, however widespread outbreaks only happen every 4-8 years or so. It does spread easily in places where people live and/or work closely, such as assisted living facilities, schools, dorms, barracks, etc. In addition to the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria, it can also be caused by a virus, fungi, chemical exposure, or inhaled food.
Is Walking Pneumonia Contagious If So How Is It Spread And Who Is Most At Risk
Yes, walking pneumonia caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae is contagious . When an infected person coughs or sneezes, tiny droplets containing the bacteria become airborne and can be inhaled by others who are nearby.
The infection can be easily spread in crowded or shared living spaces such as homes, schools, dormitories and nursing homes. It tends to affect younger adults and school-aged children more than older adults.
The risk of getting more severe pneumonia is even higher among those who have existing respiratory conditions such as:
The symptoms of walking pneumonia may come on slowly, beginning one to four weeks after exposure. During the later stages of the illness, symptoms may worsen, the fever may become higher, and coughing may bring up discolored phlegm .
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Limit Contact With Others
One of the best things you can do when recovering from pneumonia is to limit your contact with others. As weve learned throughout the COVID-19 pandemicwhich can cause viral pneumoniastaying at least six feet away from others reduces the amount of viral or bacterial content they are exposed to as you breathe or talk.
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Articles On Pneumonia Types
âWalking pneumonia” sounds like it could be the name of a sci-fi horror flick. But it’s actually the least scary kind of pneumonia. It can be milder than the other types, and you usually donât have to stay in the hospital. You could have walking pneumonia and not even know it.
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How Is Mycoplasma Spread
Mycoplasma is spread through contact with droplets from the nose and throat of infected people especially when they cough and sneeze. Transmission is thought to require prolonged close contact with an infected person. Spread in families, schools and institutions occurs slowly. The contagious period is probably fewer than 10 days and occasionally longer.
What Can I Do To Feel Better If I Have Pneumonia
- Finish all medications and therapies prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking antibiotics when you start feeling better. Continue taking them until no pills remain. If you dont take all your antibiotics, your pneumonia may come back.
- If over-the-counter medicines to reduce fever have been recommended , take as directed on the label. Never give aspirin to children.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen phlegm.
- Quit smoking if you smoke. Dont be around others who smoke or vape. Surround yourself with as much clean, chemical-free air as possible.
- Use a humidifier, take a steamy shower or bath to make it easier for you to breathe.
- Get lots of rest. Dont rush your recovery. It can take weeks to get your full strength back.
If at any time you start to feel worse, call your doctor right away.
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How To Recognize Walking Pneumonia Symptoms
Conditions
Catching a cold is never fun, especially when it brings coughing and fatigue. The cause of your sickness can often be difficult to pinpoint, and different diseases require specific treatments. One common illness that often gets misunderstood as a different problem is walking pneumonia. Most people have heard about pneumonia, but what is walking pneumonia? And, how can you recognize and treat the illness?
Tea Tree And Eucalyptus Oils
Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oils are antibacterial. And for that reason, they are able to help fight your sickness.
They will help kill the germs that cause pneumonia. Eucalyptus oil also relieves congestion by breaking up mucus in the lungs.
Process 1:
- Boil water and stir in 5 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil.
- Pour the water into a bowl.
- Drape a towel over your head, lean over the bowl, and inhale the steam.
- Do this until Stopped getting oil fragrance.
- Now blow nose gently to clear the mucus which causes the problem.
- Repeat 3 times a day.
- You can use other essential oils for pneumonia like lavender, lemon or camphor essential oil in the place of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil.
Process 2:
- Mix 20 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil with 1 tablespoon of almond or coconut oil.
- Before bed, rub the mixture on the neck and chest.
- Leave on overnight, then rinse in the morning.
- Repeat nightly.
- Note: Do not change quantities.
Process 3:
- Dip a cotton cloth in carrier oil or vegetable oil.
- Place it in oven at low temperature and warm the cloth.
- Pour 20 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil and rub cloth gently to spread evenly.
- Lie down and place the cloth on the chest.
- Leave it on 30 minutes.
- Repeat 2-3 times a day.
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A Lukewarm Bath Or Compress
Soaking the body in lukewarm water may help cool it down.
If it is not possible to take a bath, apply towels or washcloths to the body after dunking them in lukewarm water and wringing them out. This may help the body cool. When the towels warm up, dip them in the water again and reapply.
Chills are often a secondary symptom of a fever. The following home remedies may help ease chills:
How Does The Doctor Know If I Have Walking Pneumonia
Some cases of walking pneumonia are never diagnosed because people don’t seek medical help. If you do go to the doctor, the diagnosis will depend on your medical history and the results of a physical exam. The doctor will start by asking you about your symptoms and how long you have had them. The doctor may also ask you about where you work and whether anyone at home or at work is also sick.
During the physical, the doctor will listen to your chest with a stethoscope. The doctor may also ask for a chest X-ray and a blood test. There is a blood test that can specifically identify a mycoplasma infection. It’s seldom done, though, unless there is a widespread outbreak that’s being studied. Another blood test is used that identifies the increased presence of certain immune substances called cold agglutinins. This test won’t confirm that you have walking pneumonia, but it can suggest it.
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What Are The Complications Of Pneumonia
Anyone can experience complications from pneumonia. However, people in high-risk groups are more likely to develop complications, including:
- Breathing difficulties: Pneumonia can make breathing difficult. Pneumonia plus an existing lung disorder can make breathing even more difficult. Breathing difficulties may require a hospital stay to receive oxygen therapy or breathing and healing assistance with the use of a breathing machine .
- Fluid buildup in the lungs : Pneumonia can cause a buildup in the fluid between the membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity. It is a serious condition that makes breathing difficult. Pleural effusion can be treated by draining excess fluid with a catheter, chest tube or by surgery.
- Bacteria in the bloodstream : The bacteria that cause pneumonia can leave your lungs and enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs. This condition is treated with antibiotics.
- Lung abscess. A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lung that is caused by a bacterial infection. It can be treated by draining the pus with a long needle or removing it by surgery.
Symptoms Of Walking Pneumonia
If you have walking pneumonia, you might not feel that bad. In fact, there’s a good chance you’ll feel well enough to do your normal routine.
In the beginning stages, walking pneumonia may have no visible symptoms. If there are symptoms, they are typical of having the flu or the common cold. Prominent symptoms can take 15-25 days to appear after you’ve been exposed to the bacteria.
This is called the incubation period. The symptoms are similar in both children and adults. They will usually develop gradually and may last for several days.
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Some Symptoms May Include:
In children, especially infants, they may be feeding poorly. In children, it more common to have:
- Chest pain and difficulty in breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- A cough that lasts longer than seven days
- Headaches
Even after the symptoms have gone away, a person may have a lingering weakness that can last for a week or so. You may also get ear infections, a skin rash , or anemia.
If you are pregnant and have the symptoms of walking pneumonia, you should see your physician because the baby may be at risk.
How To Treat Pneumonia In Seniors
Pneumonia can often be treated at home. The goal is to rid your body of the infection while preventing more serious complications. Pneumonia affects the lungs and breathing. This makes it vital to ensure that the body is getting the oxygen it needs to recover. Following these steps can help to manage the symptoms of fever and cough so that your loved one can recover more quickly:
Recovery from pneumonia can take anywhere from a week to months. You will need to talk to your doctor about when it is appropriate to return to a normal routine.
An early response to the signs of pneumonia can be your best strategy for a smooth recovery.
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What Is The Outlook For Pneumonia
People who are otherwise healthy often recover quickly when given prompt and proper care. However, pneumonia is a serious condition and can be life-threatening if left untreated and especially for those individuals at increased risk for pneumonia.
Even patients who have been successfully treated and have fully recovered may face long-term health issues. Children who have recovered from pneumonia have an increased risk of chronic lung diseases. Adults may experience:
- General decline in quality of life for months or years
What Are The Causes Of Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia is not caused by traditional pathogens but have their genesis to protozoa, fungi, special bacteria and viruses. It is basically the microorganisms which are responsible for making the problem severe. The main causes of walking pneumonia or condition that make it worse, is an attack of these micro-organisms.
- Mycoplasma pneumonia usually causes the infection in younger age groups which also accompanies neurological and systemic symptoms.
- Legionella pneumophila can lead to high mortality rate and is known as legionellosis or Legionnaires disease.
- Francisella tularensis causes tularemia
- Coxiella burnetii is responsible for causing Q fever
- Chlamydophila psittaci causes psittacosis
- Chlamydophila pneumonia which causes mild form of pneumonia with relatively mild symptoms.
While walking pneumonia infection can occur any time, it is during the late summer time and fall that this infection becomes more prominent. During this period, the chances of spread of the infection due to walking pneumonia is also very high.
It is usually the crowded places in which people have high risk of contracting walking pneumonia infection. Major drawback of walking pneumonia is its contagious nature which has the capacity to make a person fall ill in no time. Acts of coughing, sneezing, or sharing of items of personal use can cause spread of walking pneumonia infection.
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Home Remedies For Treatment Of Symptoms
There are some ways to help treat the symptoms of walking pneumonia at home. Here are some methods that might help make you more comfortable:
- Drink herbal teas with a few drops of lemon juice several times a day for a few days.
- Drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
- Use a vapor rub on your nose and chest to help open up your clogged respiratory tract.
- Rest as much as you can.
- Maintain a healthy diet, avoiding sugar, fried foods, and highly refined carbohydrates.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications for body aches and fever.
- Drink fresh vegetable juices.
The following are herbal remedies that have not been scientifically proven to provide reliable treatment for walking pneumonia, though they have helped some people find relief.
No matter what, if your symptoms do not go away or start to get worse, make sure you see your doctor.
Walking Pneumonia Vs Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia is a nonmedical term that people use to describe cases of milder pneumonia. Doctors call this atypical pneumonia. However, both atypical and typical pneumonia can cause severe symptoms and require hospitalization.
This article will discuss the key differences between these two types of pneumonia, including causes and treatments. If a person experiences problems breathing, they should always seek medical attention before their condition worsens.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that affects the small air sacs in the lungs. The lungs begin to fill with fluid or pus, which reduces their ability to open and close and, therefore, exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Atypical pneumonia and pneumonia are both lung infections atypical pneumonia tends to be less serious than typical pneumonia. However, according to a 2018 study, 130% of patients in the intensive care unit with documented pneumonia have severe atypical pneumonia.
Walking pneumonia occurs when the bacteria that cause it are atypical. According to the
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
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