Mycoplasma pneumonia or "walking" pneumonia, is a mild atypical form of pneumonia caused by the mycoplasma pneumoniae microorganism. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) indicates that 15 to 50 percent of all pneumonia cases in adults are of this type with even greater percentages occurring in school-age children. The incubation period is approximately 1 to 3 weeks according to NLM, during which time the symptoms gradually progress. This pneumonia is common in crowded environments such as schools or prisons. Most cases resolve naturally after several weeks.
Dry Cough and Pain
According to the NLM, a slowly worsening, persistent dry cough is considered the major symptom that must be present, as the dry cough--usually without blood---is a major aspect of this type of lung infection. The absence of this symptom will make it unlikely that the diagnosis of mycoplasma or walking pneumonia will be made. Coughing may be accompanied by complaints of pain in the chest. Coughing tends to be worse at night-time due to the build-up of fluid in the lungs from lying flat for an extended period of time. As a result, the fluid advances higher up the respiratory tract. This does not mean that individuals with this type of pneumonia become disabled or bedridden. As the name indicates, "walking" pneumonia refers to the fact that diagnosed patients usually are able to move about easily and perform daily activities in contrast to those with more severe types of pneumonia.
Fever and Chills
As indicated by the New York State Department of Health (NYSHD), it is common for an individual with this type of pneumonia to exhibit vague signs akin to coming down with a cold or flu. One may experience fever and chills with sweating, headaches, as well as congestion. Related symptoms can include a runny nose and a "scratchy" sore throat with muscle and joint aches. Also, the NYSHD explains that a person with walking pneumonia may experience pain around the eyes, or develop an inner ear infection.
Rapid Breathing and Fatigue
As the symptoms progress, the infection establishes itself in the patient's chest. Rapid and shallow breathing may occur at times due to fatigue and weakness that stems from the continuous dry coughing. The symptoms associated with walking pneumonia are mild enough that one may not even go to see a doctor. Generally, according to the Mayo Clinic, mycoplasma pneumonia is not severe enough to require bed rest, hospital admittance, or even get a chest x-ray, since this mild form rarely progresses to a full-blown serious case of pneumonia.
