Source: EVERYDAYHEALTH
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Recent weeks, doctors have reported cases of "walking pneumonia," a mild yet persistent lung infection that can mimic symptoms of a common cold.
Walking pneumonia (Atypical pneumonia) is a mild lung infection that can feel like a common cold. It is called "walking" pneumonia because people with it can still go about their daily activities.
The bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the main cause of this infection.
Common symptoms include: Cough, Sore throat, Mild fever, Fatigue
Sometimes, people don’t feel sick, but their lungs may show signs of infection in X-rays. This is why it's also called "silent pneumonia."
Walking pneumonia is not as contagious as the flu, but it spreads through tiny droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Risk Areas include Crowded places like schools, offices, and buses are where it spreads easily.
Doctors believe that more people are getting walking pneumonia because of:
Seasonal changes
Pollution
Weak immune systems
Feature |
Walking Pneumonia |
Regular Pneumonia |
Severity |
Mild Mostly caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. |
Moderate to severe Caused by bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae), viruses, fungi, or protozoa. |
Symptoms |
Cough, sore throat, mild fever |
High fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing |
Contagion |
Highly contagious |
May or may not be contagious |
Treatment |
Rest, fluids, sometimes antibiotics |
Antibiotics, hospitalization in severe cases |
Recovery Time |
Usually a few weeks |
Can take longer; requires more care |
Sources:
PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following statements regarding pneumonia is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code below: Answer: A Explanation: Statement 1 is Correct. Pneumonia causes inflammation in the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs which may fill with fluid or pus leading to symptoms like cough, fever and difficulty breathing. Statement 2 is Correct. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia worldwide. Statement 3 is Incorrect. Vaccines, such as the pneumococcal vaccine and influenza vaccine can help prevent viral pneumonia caused by specific pathogens. |
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