Is Walking Pneumonia Contagious?
Jake Newby
| 3 min read
If you’ve ever had pneumonia, you know how serious it can be. Pneumonia can sometimes require multiple days of bed rest or even hospitalization.
Walking pneumonia – sometimes referred to as atypical pneumonia – is a milder form of the infection, but it can still take a toll on your body and ability to function from day to day.
What is walking pneumonia?
Pneumonia in general causes your airways to swell, the air sacs in your lungs to fill with mucus and other fluids, a high fever and a cough with mucus. Walking pneumonia is a bacterial condition caused by Mycoplasma (M) pneumoniae respiratory infections.
M. pneumoniae is a type of Mycoplasma bacteria that can cause respiratory tract infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These infections are generally mild, but can occasionally be severe.
People with pneumonia caused by M. pneumoniae can appear healthier than expected for someone with a lung infection. Most people with the infection heal naturally, but some require antibiotics for pneumonia to speed up their recovery.
What are walking pneumonia symptoms and who is at risk?
Symptoms of walking pneumonia may include:
- Cough
- Chest pain from coughing
- Fever
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Runny nose
- Ear pain
In some cases, your cough may persist for weeks after all other symptoms have subsided, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
While anyone can be infected with walking pneumonia, it is most common in children between the ages of 5 and 15, according to the Mayo Clinic. Young children tend to bring the illness home from school and infect family members with it. Older adults with weakened immune systems and people with a history of lung-related conditions are also at higher risk.
Is walking pneumonia contagious?
Pneumonia itself is not contagious, but the bacteria and viruses that cause it can spread from person to person. In this case, M. pneumoniae is contagious. Walking pneumonia is spread through airborne droplets from close contact and can be transmitted when a person coughs, sneezes or speaks. It has to get into the airway to cause infection.
How long are people with walking pneumonia typically contagious?
If you have walking pneumonia, you are usually contagious for two to four weeks before symptoms appear and until symptoms resolve, which can take several more weeks, according to the American Lung Association (ALA).
Once you go a full day without a fever – as well as the need for fever-reducing medication – and your symptoms begin to subside, you can usually return to work or school, per the ALA. It’s a good idea to take the proper precautions once you return, such as keeping your distance from others and possibly wearing a mask, especially if you will be near people with weakened immune systems.
Have a conversation with your primary care provider (PCP) about your symptoms to determine if you are a candidate for antibiotics. If your symptoms don’t improve after several days of antibiotics, reach out to your PCP to figure out next steps.
While nursing a fever it’s always wise to drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. Getting your annual flu shot is an effective way to train your body’s immune system to fight viruses – like walking pneumonia – that may be circulating. Flu shots are available at pharmacies, primary care offices, urgent care centers, health departments and clinics. Workplaces, schools and colleges often host vaccination events. You can find where to get a flu shot by visiting vaccines.gov.
Related:
- Are Sinus Infections Contagious?
- Battle Creek Double Lung Transplant Recipient Credits Exercise for Return to Normalcy
- How Contagious is the Flu?
Photo credit: Getty Images
