What Is Walking Pneumonia
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Walking pneumonias is a mild form of pneumonia and shows on people who are relatively healthy also. Most of the cases of walking pneumonia tend to go away on their own in a few days. Doctors also may suggest that you leave it. However, prolonged cases of walking pneumonia are taken more seriously and treated. In this case patients may have various infections which indicate a weak immune system. This kind of pneumonia tends to become serious if left untreated. Treatment can begin only after identifying the presence of infection in a person. Blood tests are taken if the person shows visible symptoms of the disease.
Walking pneumonia is the result of an infection by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. It can also be caused due to viral infections. An inflammation of the lungs leads to this condition and causes fever, stomach pain, and pain in the body, chills and a rough cough. Walking pneumonia takes two to three weeks to develop from the day of infection. Some of the symptoms of walking pneumonia are weakness, unable to walk and generally feeling lack of strength in the legs. Many people who have this condition are not aware that have the infection but in the mean time they could be infectious for other people. However people with a healthy immune system can fight the infection.
However, walking pneumonia becomes dangerous for people who have some preexisting conditions like asthma or breathing difficulties like wheezing and some other lung problems. Treatment with antibiotics is suggested for such people so that it does not lead to any other further complications. Bronchodilators are also prescribed to help clear out the congestion from the bronchial tubes. This ensures that the person does not experience any breathing difficulties.
Many doctors are of the opinion that walking pneumonia should be allowed to run its normal course if the person is healthy and does not suffer from any other underlying health condition. The immune system should be allowed to fight the infection. During the course of infection, patients should drink plenty of fluids, eat well and also exercise to strengthen the muscles.
Walking pneumonia can be prevented by following a hygiene routine. Washing hands frequently and ensuring that an infected person covers the mouth while coughing and eating healthy foods helps. Such measures will help both viral and bacterial infection away. Walking pneumonia is an atypical kind and will only harm people with a weak immune system. So, eating foods that strengthen the immune system helps to prevent against such infections. Usually, Vitamin C helps to keep the infection at bay.
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WiseGeek: What Is Walking Pneumonia?
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