BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAtypical pneumoniaWalking pneumonia; Community-acquired pneumonia - atypical 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. It more often has symptoms that aren't just related to the lungs, including headache, low-grade fever, rash, joint pain, and stomach symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Causes Bacteria that cause atypical pneumonia include: Pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae often affects people younger than age 40. PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. Mycoplasma pneumonia is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M pn...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia due to Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria occurs year round. Pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila bacteria is seen more often in middle-aged and older adults, smokers, and those with chronic illnesses or a weak immune system. It can be more severe. This type of pneumonia is also called Legionnaire disease.Legionnaire diseaseLegionnaires disease is an infection of the lungs and airways. It is caused by Legionella bacteria.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydia 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:Chills Cough (with legionella pneumonia, you may cough up bloody mucus) Fever, which may be mild or high Shortness of breath (may only occur when you exert yourself)Other symptoms include:Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough Confusion, most often in older people or those with legionella pneumonia Headache Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue Muscle aches and joint stiffness Sweating and clammy skinLess common symptoms include:Diarrhea and vomiting (often with legionella pneumonia) Ear pain (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Eye pain or soreness (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Neck lump (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Rash (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Sore throat (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Exams and Tests People with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation. It may be hard for your health care provider to tell whether you have pneumonia, bronchitis, or another respiratory infection, so you may need a chest x-ray. The evaluation is similar for people who have more typical pneumonia.BronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Depending on how severe the symptoms are, other tests may be done, including:Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests to identify the specific bacteria Bronchoscopy in which a flexible tube with a lighted camera on the end is passed down to your lungs in selected cases (rarely needed) BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the chest CT scan of the chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Measuring levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood (arterial blood gases) Arterial blood gasesBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nose or throat swab to check for bacteria and viruses Blood cultures Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources) Open lung biopsyAn open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sputum culture to identify the specific bacteria Sputum cultureRoutine sputum culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs that cause infection. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when y...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine test to check for legionella bacteria Treatment To feel better, you can take these self-care measures at home:Regulate your fever with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. Do not give aspirin to children because it may cause a dangerous illness called Reye syndrome. Reye syndromeReye syndrome is characterized by sudden (acute) brain damage and liver function problems. This condition does not have a known cause. This syndrome...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Do not take cough medicines without first checking with your provider. Cough medicines may make it harder for your body to cough up the extra sputum. Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm. Get a lot of rest. Have someone else do household chores. If needed, you will be prescribed antibiotics.You may be able to take antibiotics by mouth at home. If your condition is severe, you will likely be admitted to a hospital. There, you will be given antibiotics through a vein (intravenously), as well as oxygen. IntravenouslyQuantitative nephelometry is a lab test to quickly and accurately measure levels of certain proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglob...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Antibiotics are usually prescribed for 3 to 5 days, although sometimes they may be used for 2 weeks or more. Finish all the antibiotics you've been prescribed, even if you feel better. If you stop the medicine too soon, the pneumonia can return and may be harder to treat. Outlook (Prognosis) Most people with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydia 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. Possible Complications Complications that may result include any of the following:Brain and nervous system infections, such as meningitis, myelitis, and encephalitis MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hemolytic anemia, a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells in the blood because the body is destroying them Hemolytic anemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Normally, red ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe lung damage Respiratory failure requiring breathing machine support (ventilator) When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath. There are many causes for these symptoms. The provider will need to check for pneumonia.Also, contact your provider if you have been diagnosed with this type of pneumonia and your symptoms become worse after improving first. Prevention 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 appropriate vaccines like flu and COVID-19 shot as prescribed. Ask your provider if you should get a pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia vaccine).FluAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/current-...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article COVID-19COVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 C...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): CDC review information for P...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesBaden LR, Griffin MR, Klompas M. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024;chap 85.Goldman DL. Mycoplasma infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 293.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.AllVideoImagesTogLungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationRespiratory system - illustration Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.Respiratory systemillustrationLungs - illustration The major features of the lungs include the bronchi, the bronchioles and the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic blood vessel-lined sacks in which oxygen and carbon dioxide gas are exchanged.LungsillustrationRespiratory system - illustration Air is breathed in through the nasal passageways, travels through the trachea and bronchi to the lungs.Respiratory systemillustrationRelated Information Legionnaires disease(Condition)Mycoplasma pneumonia(Condition)Pneumonia in children - discharge(Discharge)Pneumonia in adults - discharge(Discharge)Pneumonia - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 8/19/2024 Reviewed By: Allen J. Blaivas, DO, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, VA New Jersey Health Care System, Clinical Assistant Professor, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Atypical pneumoniaWalking pneumonia; Community-acquired pneumonia - atypical 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. It more often has symptoms that aren't just related to the lungs, including headache, low-grade fever, rash, joint pain, and stomach symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsers Causes Bacteria that cause atypical pneumonia include: Pneumonia caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae often affects people younger than age 40. PneumoniaPneumonia is inflamed or swollen lung tissue due to infection with a germ. Mycoplasma pneumonia is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M pn...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia due to Chlamydia pneumoniae bacteria occurs year round. Pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila bacteria is seen more often in middle-aged and older adults, smokers, and those with chronic illnesses or a weak immune system. It can be more severe. This type of pneumonia is also called Legionnaire disease.Legionnaire diseaseLegionnaires disease is an infection of the lungs and airways. It is caused by Legionella bacteria.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydia 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:Chills Cough (with legionella pneumonia, you may cough up bloody mucus) Fever, which may be mild or high Shortness of breath (may only occur when you exert yourself)Other symptoms include:Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough Confusion, most often in older people or those with legionella pneumonia Headache Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue Muscle aches and joint stiffness Sweating and clammy skinLess common symptoms include:Diarrhea and vomiting (often with legionella pneumonia) Ear pain (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Eye pain or soreness (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Neck lump (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Rash (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Sore throat (with mycoplasma pneumonia) Exams and Tests People with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation. It may be hard for your health care provider to tell whether you have pneumonia, bronchitis, or another respiratory infection, so you may need a chest x-ray. The evaluation is similar for people who have more typical pneumonia.BronchitisAcute bronchitis is swelling and inflamed tissue in the bronchi, the main passages that carry air to the lungs. This swelling narrows the airways, w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Depending on how severe the symptoms are, other tests may be done, including:Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests to identify the specific bacteria Bronchoscopy in which a flexible tube with a lighted camera on the end is passed down to your lungs in selected cases (rarely needed) BronchoscopyBronchoscopy is a test to view the airways and diagnose lung disease. It may also be used during the treatment of some lung conditions.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article CT scan of the chest CT scan of the chestA chest CT (computed tomography) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of the chest and upper abdomen....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Measuring levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood (arterial blood gases) Arterial blood gasesBlood gases are a measurement of how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. They also determine the acidity (pH) of your blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nose or throat swab to check for bacteria and viruses Blood cultures Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources) Open lung biopsyAn open lung biopsy is surgery to remove a small piece of tissue from the lung. The sample is then examined for cancer, infection, or lung disease....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sputum culture to identify the specific bacteria Sputum cultureRoutine sputum culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs that cause infection. Sputum is the material that comes up from air passages when y...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine test to check for legionella bacteria Treatment To feel better, you can take these self-care measures at home:Regulate your fever with aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. Do not give aspirin to children because it may cause a dangerous illness called Reye syndrome. Reye syndromeReye syndrome is characterized by sudden (acute) brain damage and liver function problems. This condition does not have a known cause. This syndrome...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Do not take cough medicines without first checking with your provider. Cough medicines may make it harder for your body to cough up the extra sputum. Drink plenty of fluids to help loosen secretions and bring up phlegm. Get a lot of rest. Have someone else do household chores. If needed, you will be prescribed antibiotics.You may be able to take antibiotics by mouth at home. If your condition is severe, you will likely be admitted to a hospital. There, you will be given antibiotics through a vein (intravenously), as well as oxygen. IntravenouslyQuantitative nephelometry is a lab test to quickly and accurately measure levels of certain proteins called immunoglobulins in the blood. Immunoglob...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Antibiotics are usually prescribed for 3 to 5 days, although sometimes they may be used for 2 weeks or more. Finish all the antibiotics you've been prescribed, even if you feel better. If you stop the medicine too soon, the pneumonia can return and may be harder to treat. Outlook (Prognosis) Most people with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydia 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. Possible Complications Complications that may result include any of the following:Brain and nervous system infections, such as meningitis, myelitis, and encephalitis MeningitisMeningitis is an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. This covering is called the meninges.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EncephalitisEncephalitis is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the brain, most often due to infections.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hemolytic anemia, a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells in the blood because the body is destroying them Hemolytic anemiaAnemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Normally, red ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Severe lung damage Respiratory failure requiring breathing machine support (ventilator) When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath. There are many causes for these symptoms. The provider will need to check for pneumonia.Also, contact your provider if you have been diagnosed with this type of pneumonia and your symptoms become worse after improving first. Prevention 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 appropriate vaccines like flu and COVID-19 shot as prescribed. Ask your provider if you should get a pneumococcal vaccine (pneumonia vaccine).FluAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) www. cdc. gov/vaccines/hcp/current-...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article COVID-19COVID-19 vaccines are used to prepare the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19. Everyone ages 6 months and older should get a 2024-2025 C...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pneumonia vaccineAll content below is taken in its entirety from the CDC Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): CDC review information for P...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesBaden LR, Griffin MR, Klompas M. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024;chap 85.Goldman DL. Mycoplasma infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 293.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.
