If you have a nagging cough that just won’t quit but you’re dealing with it at home, you might have something called walking pneumonia. It’s often milder than traditional pneumonia, but it’s still a lung infection and it can cause long-lasting symptoms if you don’t get it treated properly.
“Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. Walking pneumonia is pneumonia that is not bad enough to make a person stay in the hospital,” said Jeffrey Curtis, MD, a family doctor with Banner Executive Health and Wellness.
It’s called “walking” because people have milder pneumonia symptoms, but do not require bed rest or hospitalization and oftentimes can still do their daily activities. Walking pneumonia is a term people often use to describe a type of atypical pneumonia. It's not a medical term with a specific diagnosis.
Walking pneumonia is often caused by a germ called Mycoplasma pneumoniae that you can get from coughing, sneezing or close contact, like in schools, colleges or military barracks. It can also be caused by other germs, including viruses. “The place where a person gets pneumonia can affect what germs cause it and how serious it can be. Walking pneumonia is usually not caused by the worst germs,” Dr. Curtis said.
How is walking pneumonia different from regular pneumonia?
While both types affect the lungs, walking pneumonia tends to come on more slowly and feel less intense.
“It is still a serious condition that needs treatment. People with walking pneumonia are usually too sick to go to work or school, but they usually get better without needing to stay in a hospital,” Dr. Curtis said.
Here’s what’s different about walking pneumonia:
- It has milder symptoms and usually doesn’t cause high fever or severe chest pain
- It can come on gradually, over several days
- Most people don’t need to be hospitalized
Even though it’s milder, walking pneumonia can linger for weeks and, if it’s caused by bacteria, may need antibiotics to clear up. Walking pneumonia is still contagious, especially in the early stages.
Common symptoms of walking pneumonia
With walking pneumonia you’ll feel sick, but you might not suspect pneumonia. The symptoms can wear you down over time, though.
You may notice:
- A long-lasting cough where you bring up sputum (mucus in the lungs)
- Low-grade fever or chills
- Feeling tired or weak, even after you rest
- Sore throat
- Mild chest tightness or discomfort
- Headache or body aches
- Shortness of breath, especially with activity
“In small children, who sometimes can’t describe how they feel, fever, cough, breathing fast and not eating can be signs of pneumonia,” Dr. Curtis said.
Many people brush off these symptoms as a cold or seasonal bug, but if they last more than a week it’s a good idea to check in with your health care provider.
Who is at risk for walking pneumonia?
“Anyone can get walking pneumonia,” Dr. Curtis said. Pneumonia in general is more common and more severe in:
- Older people
- People with long-term lung, heart or immune system problems
- People with diabetes, malnutrition or viral respiratory illnesses
- People who drink a lot of alcohol or smoke cigarettes
Some people are more likely to catch or spread walking pneumonia, especially in settings where close contact is common. Risk groups for walking pneumonia include:
- Children, teens and young adults
- College students, military recruits and teachers
- People with asthma, COPD or other lung conditions
- Anyone in daycare, school, crowded indoor spaces or other places with close contact
While walking pneumonia is usually not severe, it can lead to complications for people with weakened immune systems or chronic health conditions.
How is walking pneumonia diagnosed and treated?
“Walking pneumonia is usually diagnosed by a doctor who asks questions about a patient’s symptoms and examines the person, especially their lungs. A chest X-ray helps a lot in diagnosing pneumonia,” Dr. Curtis said.
If your provider suspects walking pneumonia, they may:
- Listen to your lungs with a stethoscope
- Order a chest X-ray or lab tests if needed
- Ask about symptoms and how long they’ve lasted
“Doctors often can’t tell for sure what is causing a person’s pneumonia, so they use clues and sometimes lab tests to help them decide. Then they treat the most likely cause of the infection,” Dr. Curtis said.
Treatment may include:
- Antibiotics, especially if a bacterial infection is confirmed
- Rest, fluids and over-the-counter (OTC) medications for fever or cough
- Avoiding physical exertion while your lungs heal
Sometimes, walking pneumonia is caused by a virus, not bacteria. For example, the germs that cause the flu and COVID-19 can cause walking pneumonia. “If it is caused by a virus, then an antibiotic is not the best treatment,” Dr. Curtis said.
In some cases, you may need IV medication. If that happens, it’s no longer considered walking pneumonia.
Recovery time for walking pneumonia can take several weeks. Even if you feel mostly better, your energy levels may take time to return.
“Pneumonia is often contagious, so a person with pneumonia should try to stay at home and avoid crowds so they don’t make other people sick,” Dr. Curtis said.
When to see a doctor
“It is important to see a doctor for a severe cough, high fever or feeling short of breath,” Dr. Curtis said. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, some people have a pulse oximeter at home. A pulse oximeter is a device that clips onto a finger and can tell the level of oxygen in a person’s blood. If the oxygen level is lower than usual, or if it is lower than 90%, it is important to see a doctor.”
You should also see a health care provider if:
- Your symptoms last more than seven to 10 days
- You have fatigue that’s getting worse, chest pain or trouble breathing
- You’re at higher risk due to your age
- You have asthma or another health condition that affects your breathing
- You’ve had many respiratory infections in the past
Catching walking pneumonia early can help you recover faster and reduce the risk of complications.
How Banner Health can help
At Banner Health, we take your breathing seriously. Whether it’s walking pneumonia, seasonal bronchitis or something else, our care teams can help you feel better, faster. We offer:
- In-person and virtual visits with primary care, urgent care and respiratory health providers
- On-site diagnostic testing, including X-rays, at many locations
- Specialized care for those with asthma, COPD or other chronic lung conditions
- Support for your recovery and overall lung health
Think your lingering cough might be something more?
Learn more about pneumonia care at Banner Health and book an appointment with one of our providers online today.
