Walking Pneumonia is a serious upper respiratory infection that primarily affects the lungs. It is caused by a bacteria that is easily spread from person to person. Walking pneumonia got its name because, unlike cases of pneumonia, patients with walking pneumonia typically feel well enough to continue with their daily activities. Keep reading to learn more about what causes walking pneumonia, symptoms, and treatment options.
If you’re experiencing illness symptoms, walk into AFC Urgent Care Edgewater. Our walk-in clinic is open daily, including on weekends, to provide patients near Edgewater, MD with rapid same-day care. Simply walk into the clinic, we never require you to schedule an appointment in advance.
What Causes Walking Pneumonia?
Walking pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection that affects the lungs. It can easily be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets released by coughing, sneezing or even talking. This makes it very contagious in a school or work environment. Fall and winter are when the highest amount of walking pneumonia cases are seen.
Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia
Walking pneumonia gets its nickname due to the mild nature of its symptoms. While in most cases, walking pneumonia does not cause severe illness, those with underlying medical conditions or anyone who is considered immunocompromised may be at risk for developing severe symptoms from walking pneumonia. Symptoms of walking pneumonia typically appear within a week of exposure and can last up to 4 weeks.
Common symptoms of walking pneumonia include:
- Fever
- Body aches
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Sore throat
Diagnosis & Treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of walking pneumonia, it is important that you seek medical treatment. Although walking phenomena symptoms can be milder than pneumonia, it is still a serious illness. Bacterial infections require medical treatment in order to clear up the infection. Your medical provider will evaluate your symptoms and listen to your lungs for signs of infection. They may perform diagnostic testing to test for a sign of an infection. Based on the results, your medical provider may prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection and suggest at-home care instructions.
Walk Into AFC Edgewater for Same-Day Care in Edgewater, MD
If you’re suffering from symptoms of walking pneumonia, seeking medical treatment can decrease your recovery time. At AFC Urgent Care Edgewater, our medical providers are board-certified and trained to accurately diagnose and expertly treat a variety of common conditions, including walking pneumonia. Our walk-in clinic is open 7 days a week, including on weekends, and maintains short wait times. Simply walk into the clinic when it’s convenient for you!
