Pneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ.
With atypical pneumonia, the infection is caused by different bacteria than the more common ones that cause pneumonia. Atypical pneumonia also tends to have milder symptoms than typical pneumonia.
Walking pneumonia; Community-acquired pneumonia - atypical
Bacteria that cause atypical pneumonia include:
Pneumonia due to mycoplasma and chlamydophila bacteria is usually mild. Pneumonia due to legionella gets worse during the first 4 to 6 days, and then improves over 4 to 5 days.
The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:
Other symptoms include:
Less common symptoms include:
To feel better, you can take these self-care measures at home:
If needed, you will be prescribed antibiotics.
Patrick Meyer-Sauteur is in Zurich, Switzerland. Meyer-Sauteur is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Atypical Pneumonia. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mycoplasma Pneumonia, Atypical Pneumonia, Pneumonia, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Naoyuki Miyashita is in Okayama, Japan. Miyashita is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Atypical Pneumonia. They are also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. Their top areas of expertise are Atypical Pneumonia, Mycoplasma Pneumonia, Pneumonia, and Legionnaire Disease.
Roger Dumke is in Dresden, Germany. Dumke is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Atypical Pneumonia. He is also highly rated in 4 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Mycoplasma Pneumonia, Atypical Pneumonia, Pneumonia, and Urethritis.
Most people with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydophila get better with the right antibiotics. Legionella pneumonia can be severe. It can lead to problems, most often in those with kidney failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or a weakened immune system. It can also lead to death.
Complications that may result include any of the following:
Contact your provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath. There are many causes for these symptoms. The provider will need to rule out pneumonia.
Also, call if you have been diagnosed with this type of pneumonia and your symptoms become worse after improving first.
Wash your hands often and have other people around you do the same.
Avoid contact with sick people whenever possible.
If your immune system is weak, stay away from crowds. Ask visitors who have a cold to wear a mask.
DO NOT smoke. If you do, get help to quit.
Get a flu shot every year. Ask your provider if you need a pneumonia vaccine.
Published Date : August 03, 2020
Published By : Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Holzman RS, Simberkoff MS, Leaf HL. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and atypical pneumonia. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 183.
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