A Bad Cold or Something Else? Watch for Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia

You’re tired, achy and coughing – is it just a cold, or could it be the common respiratory infection known as walking pneumonia? Unfortunately, many people mistake the symptoms of walking pneumonia for those of a cold or flu and don’t seek treatment, which can lead to more serious illness. 

It’s important to safeguard your respiratory health by understanding the signs of walking pneumonia and how to manage them, so you can prevent complications and recover faster. We’ll explain these symptoms and provide guidance on how to find relief.

If you think you may be dealing with walking pneumonia, our experienced primary care providers at Conway Medical Center can help. We invite you to schedule an appointment at CMC Primary Care today so we can provide the proper diagnosis and treatment to help you feel better faster.

What Are the Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia, a less serious form of pneumonia also known as atypical pneumonia, is a mild lung infection caused by bacteria, viruses or mold (fungi).

People with walking pneumonia often don’t feel sick enough to stay home from work or school, and may not even know they have the condition, hence the name “walking pneumonia.”

Symptoms of walking pneumonia may include:

• Cough
• Fatigue
• Mild chills
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Mild chest pain or discomfort when breathing deeply
• Low-grade fever of under 101 degrees Fahrenheit

You may be wondering how to tell the difference between symptoms of walking pneumonia and those of a common cold.

While walking pneumonia can have symptoms that are not related to the lungs, it primarily affects the lungs and airways, with symptoms that are more persistent and prolonged. Cold symptoms typically involve the nose and throat and resolve more quickly. 

A primary care provider at Conway Medical Center can confirm a diagnosis of walking pneumonia with a physical exam, by listening to your lungs, and if needed, a chest X-ray.

How is Walking Pneumonia Different from Regular Pneumonia?

The main difference between regular pneumonia and walking pneumonia is the severity of the symptoms and the required treatment.

Walking pneumonia is milder than regular pneumonia and often feels like a bad cold or the flu. Symptoms may include a low fever and a dry cough, and symptoms that are not strictly related to the lungs. Regular pneumonia is a more serious condition with pronounced symptoms that include a higher fever of 101 to 105 degrees F and a wet cough that produces phlegm.

Treatment for walking pneumonia depends on the cause. If the cause is bacterial, you may be prescribed antibiotics; if it’s the result of a virus, you’ll have to let it run its course. Many people recover from walking pneumonia within 2-4 weeks if they don’t have an underlying health condition. 

Treatment for regular pneumonia may require several days of bed rest or even hospitalization in some cases. Full recovery may take several weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the illness.

Who is More Likely to Get Walking Pneumonia?

Anyone can get walking pneumonia, even those in good health. You’re at higher risk of getting walking pneumonia if you:

• Are age 2 or younger
• Are age 65 or older
• Have a respiratory condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma or emphysema
• Have a weakened immune system or take immunosuppressants
• Are a tobacco user or live with someone who is
• Live or work in crowded settings, such as schools, daycares, dormitories, military barracks, long-term care facilities or hospitals
• Routinely use inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) 

How is Walking Pneumonia Treated?

Treatment for walking pneumonia depends on whether it is caused by bacteria or a virus.

If your doctor determines the cause of your walking pneumonia is bacterial, they may prescribe antibiotics including macrolide antibiotics, fluoroquinolones or tetracyclines. If you do receive a prescription for antibiotics, you should finish the full course even if you start feeling better. This will ensure the infection is completely eliminated.

If the cause of your walking pneumonia is a virus, you’ll have to let it run its course. In this case, you can usually manage symptoms with over-the-counter medications to help relieve nasal congestion, cough and other symptoms.

Additional at-home remedies include getting lots of rest and drinking plenty of fluids. Your healthcare provider may make other recommendations depending on your specific symptoms.

Most people with walking pneumonia begin to feel better in a few days with the appropriate treatment, though your cough may linger for a few weeks. Recovery times can vary from person to person depending on current health status and underlying medical conditions.

Your healthcare provider can diagnose walking pneumonia with a physical exam and a chest X-ray to rule out a cold or flu since the symptoms can be similar. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis because walking pneumonia symptoms may also mimic those of a COPD flare-up or other respiratory conditions.

What is Atypical Pneumonia?

Atypical pneumonia is a term given to walking pneumonia to differentiate it from regular pneumonia. Walking pneumonia or atypical pneumonia is milder than pneumonia and often has symptoms not strictly related to the lungs such as headache, low-grade fever, fatigue and sometimes gastrointestinal issues.

Think You May Be Dealing with Walking Pneumonia? CMC Primary Care Can Help

Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you have a cold, the flu, or walking pneumonia based on your symptoms alone. That’s why it’s important to get the proper diagnosis so you can get the appropriate treatment, avoid potential complications and start feeling better faster.

Our experienced primary care providers at Conway Medical Center can help. We invite you to schedule an appointment at CMC Primary Care today. We’ll confirm a diagnosis, create a treatment plan that’s just right for you, and monitor your recovery for the best outcome possible.