By Walking pneumonia might sound scary, but it’s a mild form of pneumonia that often feels like a bad cold. Many people unknowingly have it and continue their daily activities while infected, which is how it earned the nickname “walking pneumonia”.
Although various viruses or bacteria can cause walking pneumonia, one of the main culprits is Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This organism mainly affects young people, with cases rising in late summer and early fall, but occurs all year round.
Awareness of walking pneumonia is important because it is a contagious respiratory infection that can go unnoticed for up to 10 days. Limiting close contact and seeking medical care can help prevent further transmission and health risks.
Common Symptoms of Atypical Pneumonia
Signs of walking pneumonia may take between one and four weeks to appear after getting infected, only to be shrugged off as a minor inconvenience, related to the weather, or a reaction to an irritant.
The illness usually begins slowly and worsens over time, making it difficult to pinpoint exactly when symptoms first appeared or when you contracted the infection.
Persistent Dry Cough
Persistent dry cough occurs because the bacteria causing the infection irritate your airways, leading to inflammation that triggers repeated bouts of coughing with little to no mucus.
You might notice that the cough worsens at night, when lying down, or in cold, dry air, making it particularly disruptive to your sleep. It can also worsen when you talk, laugh, or during exercise.
The strain from repeated coughing can cause your chest or shoulders to tense up, and you may experience a frequent, tickling sensation in your throat.
Fatigue and Weakness
You’ll likely feel tired and run down, though not as severely as with more serious types of pneumonia. Even if you get extra sleep, you may still wake up feeling unrefreshed due to the effects of the infection, in combination with the symptoms experienced.
Simple tasks can take more effort than normal, and you may quickly get out of breath or tired when walking upstairs, carrying groceries, or doing daily activities.
Some days, you may feel a slight improvement in energy, allowing you to keep up with household chores or work, only to experience a dip again later.
Mild fatigue and weakness can occur when your immune system is fighting an infection, as your body uses energy to manage the symptoms.
Low-Grade Fever
In response to the infection, your temperature may rise slightly above normal, but usually remains below 102°F (38.8°C), creating minor inconveniences.
Unlike high fevers from typical pneumonia, this low-grade fever might not make you feel very sick, allowing you to continue with your day.
The fever typically comes and goes throughout the day but often appears more prominent in the late afternoon or evening. During these times, you might experience a brief wave of heat, mild shivers, or light perspiration.
Mild Shortness of Breath
You might feel slightly winded during everyday activities like walking briskly or climbing stairs. You could find yourself pausing to catch your breath more often or noticing that you are breathing faster than usual.
Taking a deep breath might feel uncomfortable because of airway inflammation from an infection, but it typically doesn’t interfere with your daily activities.
Head and Body Aches
Mild headaches frequently occur alongside walking pneumonia. You may find yourself unknowingly rubbing your temples or gently massaging them with your fingers if you are focused on something.
These headaches tend to come and go rather than remaining constant, and are usually resolved by taking over-the-counter medications. You may also experience achiness in your muscles and joints, similar to flu.
You may experience stiffness and tenderness in your shoulders, lower back, or knees, particularly in the morning or after sitting for a long time.
Due to joint soreness, you may move more cautiously when getting out of a chair or take a few extra seconds to straighten up to avoid pain.
Mild Chest Pain or Discomfort
You might feel a dull ache or burning sensation in your chest, especially when breathing deeply or coughing. This discomfort is often more focused on one side and occurs because the protective lining around your lungs becomes irritated by persistent coughing.
The pain isn’t usually severe, but it can make deep breathing uncomfortable and may cause you to wince or hold your side when you inhale deeply or change positions.
Sometimes, due to other symptoms experienced during the illness, the pain may radiate to your shoulders or upper back, and gently pressing on your chest wall could make the ache feel sharper.
Sore Throat
You might notice a scratchy and irritated feeling in your throat early in the illness. This discomfort is often most noticeable in the morning when you wake up, or after frequent coughing.
Swallowing may feel uncomfortable, and you could experience slight hoarseness or raspiness in your voice. Speaking for extended periods or loudly can increase irritation, leading you to clear your throat more frequently.
Additional Symptoms
Walking pneumonia can trigger several signs beyond chest pain and persistent cough. These additional symptoms often imitate a cold or flu, making the condition harder to identify in its early stages.
Runny or Stuffy Nose
Mild sinus congestion from walking pneumonia can make your nose feel blocked or runny, making it hard to breathe comfortably through your nose.
You may find yourself sniffling or experiencing short bursts of sneezing and reaching for tissues more often, as your nasal passages react to inflammation.
The discharge from your nose is often clear, but it can appear slightly yellowish or greenish if there is a secondary infection.
However, if nasal symptoms are the primary complaint, they are more likely related to a common cold or another respiratory infection than to walking pneumonia alone.
Wheezing and Mild Respiratory Issues
You might notice a whistling or squeaking sound when you breathe, especially when lying down, exercising, or when your head is leaning forward.
Your chest may rise and fall, and you may breathe faster than usual, instinctively pausing to take deeper breaths to get enough air.
Wheezing happens when bacteria from walking pneumonia inflame or narrow the airways, causing air to pass through a tighter space.
Nausea and Vomiting
You might feel queasy at times, and in some cases, you may even experience vomiting, though this is less common than respiratory symptoms.
This uneasy feeling can come and go throughout the day, sometimes leaving you sweating excessively. These stomach issues can occur because your body’s immune response to the infection, coupled with the other primary symptoms, causes digestive discomfort.
If you vomit, this will worsen fatigue or lead to mild dehydration, causing cracked lips or a lightheaded feeling when standing up.
Diarrhea
You may experience occasional bouts of loose or watery stool as your body works to combat the infection. This occurs because the immune response to the illness can temporarily disrupt normal digestion and fluid absorption.
These episodes typically last only a few days, though in some cases, they may persist longer. You might find yourself needing to use the restroom more frequently, and your stool may appear more liquid than usual.
Loss of Appetite
You might notice that the foods you usually enjoy don’t seem as appealing or appetizing when you’re dealing with walking pneumonia. The flavors might seem dull, and even the sight of your favorite dishes might fail to stimulate your appetite.
A drop in appetite happens when your immune system uses extra energy to fight an infection, disrupting normal hunger signals. Mild symptoms like nausea, fatigue, or a persistent cough can further reduce your interest in eating.
If you have a low appetite for several days, you may feel physically weaker because your body is not getting enough energy from food and fluids to recover from your illness.
