Walking pneumonia is considered to be a less severe form of pneumonia. It gets its nickname due to symptoms being mild enough for patients to continue with most of their daily tasks while being sick with walking pneumonia. However, walking pneumonia can still cause severe illness and requires medical care from a medical professional to treat properly. Keep reading to learn more about symptoms associated with walking pneumonia and treatment options. If you’re feeling sick or experiencing any symptoms of walking pneumonia, AFC Waltham can help. Our walk-in urgent care clinic offers same-day illness treatment on a walk-in basis 7 days a week!
Symptoms of Walking pneumonia
Walking pneumonia is caused by a bacterial infection that mainly affects the lungs. As a result, most symptoms associated with walking pneumonia are upper respiratory-related symptoms. Walking pneumonia symptoms typically resolve within 2 weeks with proper care, however, some cases can last up to a month.
Symptoms of walking pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Fever
- Sore throat
- Chest pain from coughing
- Wheezing
- Body aches
Is Walking Pneumonia Contagious
Walking pneumonia is contagious. It spreads easily through close contact with others through tiny airborne droplets. Coughing, sneezing, and even talking can cause walking pneumonia to spread, so it is important that you stay home if you’re feeling sick. Cases of walking pneumonia tend to spread quickly in schools and office buildings due to the lack of ventilation and close contact with others. Treatment with antibiotics can reduce the period of time that you’re contagious when you have walking pneumonia.
Walking Pneumonia Treatment
If you’re experiencing symptoms of walking pneumonia, it is important to seek medical care. Although walking pneumonia suggests that the illness is mild, it is still a serious infection that can make you really sick without proper treatment. Bacterial infections like walking pneumonia require antibiotics to clear up the infection. Without proper care, symptoms can worsen and potentially develop into secondary infections. Your medical provider will evaluate your lungs and listen for signs of an infection. They may also perform diagnostic testing to verify the presence of bacteria.
Walk Into AFC Waltham for Same-Day Illness Treatment
If you’re experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms associated with walking pneumonia, it is important that you seek urgent medical care. Delaying treatment can cause your illness to progress over time. At AFC Waltham, our board-certified medical providers are trained to diagnose and treat illnesses like walking pneumonia. We offer care 7 days a week from 8am-8pm so that you can walk-in when it’s convenient for you! Walk-in today!
