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Atypical Pneumonia Symptoms

Atypical pneumonia is also known as walking pneumonia. It is usually caused by mycoplasma, Legionnaires' disease or chlamydophila and typically affects young adults and children. Atypical pneumonia caused by chlamydophila and mycoplasma begins more slowly and is less severe than other types of the sickness. There are numerous symptoms that can point to each type of atypical pneumonia.

  1. Milder Types

    • People can develop pneumonia due to chlamydia-related bacteria year-round. It accounts for up to 15 percent of all pneumonia and is usually not serious. Younger people are more likely to come down with mycoplasma pneumonia. It may be associated with rashes, anemia and neurological conditions including encephalitis, myelitis and meningitis.

    Legionnaire's

    • The type of atypical pneumonia caused by Legionella is more serious and has a higher death rate. It accounts for up to 6 percent of pneumonia. People with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems, smokers and older adults are more susceptible to this type of atypical pneumonia. People suffering from diabetes, renal failure, alcoholism or cancer are also more at risk. Children can come down with Legionnaire's, but it's typically less severe. People who breathe contaminated air from heating and cooling systems may also contract pneumonia due to Legionella.

    Symptoms

    • People with atypical pneumonia will first experience general flulike symptoms. They may be lethargic and weak, and have a headache, sore throat, nasal discharge, earache or intestinal distress. They may also feel pain near their breastbone, but they shouldn't experience severe pain in their chests, as do patients with typical bacterial pneumonia. People with atypical pneumonia will also have chills, a fever and cough. Their muscles may be sore or stiff, and their appetite may be lacking. Shortness of breath and rapid breathing are also common symptoms.

    Considerations

    • If you have pneumonia caused by Legionella, you will experience additional symptoms that will get worsen over the first four to six days. They include a non-productive cough, joint pain, shaking and chills, confusion, coughing up blood and diarrhea. Symptoms should get better within another four or five days.

    Complications

    • Some symptoms can point to complications. If you have any type of breathing problem, you should contact your doctor. People with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydophila can experience lung failure and hemolytic anemia, meaning there are not enough red blood cells in the body. Possible complications of Legionnaire's are lung failure and death. The death rate for patients who develop Legionnaire's in the hospital and start antibiotics late is approximately 50 percent.

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