Atypical pneumonia

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Atypical pneumonia
Legionella pneumophila
Synonyms	Walking pneumonia
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Cough, fever, headache, muscle pain
Complications	Respiratory failure, sepsis
Onset	Gradual
Duration	Weeks
Types	N/A
Causes	Bacteria, viruses, fungi
Risks	Smoking, immunosuppression, chronic lung disease
Diagnosis	Chest X-ray, sputum culture, blood tests
Differential diagnosis	Typical pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer
Prevention	Vaccination, hand hygiene
Treatment	Antibiotics, antivirals, supportive care
Medication	Macrolides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common
Deaths	Rare with treatment

Atypical pneumonia, also referred to as "walking pneumonia," is an acute respiratory condition distinguished by symptoms such as high fever, cough, and occasionally shortness of breath. The disease is primarily caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae and predominantly affects children and young adults.

Etiology

Atypical pneumonia differs from typical bacterial pneumonia in terms of its causative organisms and clinical presentation. The primary cause is Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a tiny bacterium lacking a cell wall. Other causative agents include Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Legionella pneumophila.

Symptoms

While symptoms may vary, they generally develop slowly and are less severe compared to typical pneumonia. Symptoms can include a persistent dry cough, mild chest pain, fatigue, mild dyspnea, and flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle aches.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis typically involves a combination of physical examination, history taking, and investigations such as chest radiographs and microbiological tests. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or serology can be used to identify Mycoplasma pneumoniae or other atypical pathogens.

Treatment

The treatment of atypical pneumonia usually involves antibiotics that are effective against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, such as macrolides (e.g., azithromycin), tetracyclines, or fluoroquinolones. Patients often recover with appropriate therapy, although the cough may persist for some time.

Prevention

Preventive measures include practicing good hygiene to reduce the spread of respiratory droplets, especially in community settings. There is currently no vaccine available for Mycoplasma pneumoniae.