If your child has had a persistent dry cough and mild fever or chills lately, it may be walking pneumonia, which has been on the rise in children recently. Walking pneumonia, or atypical pneumonia, is a mild form of pneumonia that is often mistaken for a cold or respiratory infection. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, or other atypical pathogens. Because the symptoms are usually less severe than classic pneumonia, many people continue to go about their daily lives while sick, hence the name "walking" pneumonia. Typical pneumonia accounts for about 85% of cases, and walking pneumonia accounts for about 15%.
What’s the difference between a cold and walking pneumonia?
Early symptoms and progression of walking pneumonia
Why children and the elderly are more vulnerable to walking pneumonia
A checklist to distinguish walking pneumonia from a common cold
Why early detection of walking pneumonia is crucial
What’s the difference between a cold and walking pneumonia?
Colds and walking pneumonia cause respiratory symptoms, but they differ in their causes, symptoms, and severity.
Causes:
Colds are usually caused by rhinovirus, while walking pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Cough:
Colds usually have a mild cough, often accompanied by sputum. Walking pneumonia is characterized by a dry cough that lasts for several weeks and can become severe.
Dyspnea and chest symptoms:
Colds rarely cause dyspnea, and chest discomfort is rare. However, walking pneumonia can cause dyspnea along with chest tightness or pain.
Fever:
Colds rarely cause fever or have only a low-grade fever. Walking pneumonia is more common, and can sometimes have a high fever of 38°C or higher.
Duration of symptoms:
Colds usually improve within a week or so. However, walking pneumonia can last for several weeks and worsen if left untreated.
Treatment:
While colds usually resolve on their own with rest and fluids, walking pneumonia often requires antibiotics or antivirals and sometimes hospitalization.
Early symptoms and progression of walking pneumonia
Walking pneumonia starts with mild symptoms, so it can be mistaken for a cold or flu. The most common initial symptom is a dry cough with little sputum that lasts for several weeks and can become severe. Fever is more common, sometimes reaching a low-grade fever of 37.5°C to 38.0°C. You may feel more tired and lethargic than a common cold. A sore throat or sore throat may appear similar to a cold, and nasal symptoms similar to a cold may also occur, but this is not common.
As the initial symptoms worsen, characteristic symptoms of pneumonia may appear. A dry cough may become increasingly severe, and if left untreated, sputum may be produced. Severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing may occur, and chest tightness or pain may be felt due to lung inflammation. An initial low-grade fever may develop into a high fever of 38°C or higher, or you may sweat a lot. Fatigue may become severe enough to interfere with daily life. Even if the initial symptoms are similar to a cold, you should visit a hospital if you have a cough that lasts more than a week or have difficulty breathing or severe fatigue. With appropriate antibiotic treatment, walking pneumonia can be cured quickly.
Why children and the elderly are more vulnerable to walking pneumonia
Children and the elderly are more susceptible to walking pneumonia (atypical pneumonia) due to their weakened immune systems and differences in bodily functions, and are more likely to develop complications when infected. The elderly often have chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease, which further weaken their immunity. Children and the elderly may have a weaker immune system if they do not have a balanced diet. In particular, a lack of anti-inflammatory and antiviral substances such as vitamin C can weaken the immune system. Children have small and immature respiratory structures, which can easily spread infections, and the elderly have dry or weak respiratory mucosa, which provides an environment where pathogens can easily settle. For these reasons, children and the elderly may be more susceptible to walking pneumonia.
A checklist to distinguish walking pneumonia from a common cold
To distinguish walking pneumonia from a cold, refer to the checklist below for the main characteristics of walking pneumonia.
Duration of symptoms: Symptoms last for more than 2 weeks or get worse.
Cough: Dry cough is the main symptom, and cough lasts for more than 1 week and gets worse.
Fever: It can range from a low-grade fever (37.5–38°C) to sometimes a high fever (38°C or higher).
Fatigue: Severe fatigue and lethargy can make daily life difficult.
Dyspnea: Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing after physical activity.
Drug reaction: Common cold medications have little effect, and antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
Chest pain: Chest tightness or pain may be felt due to lung inflammation.
Diagnostic tests: Chest X-ray, blood test, sputum culture test, etc. are used to confirm the presence of pneumonia.
Why early detection of walking pneumonia is crucial
Walking pneumonia starts mildly at first, but if left untreated, symptoms can worsen. Early detection of walking pneumonia prevents the progression of the disease and helps patients maintain normal lives by quickly alleviating symptoms.
Preventing worsening of symptoms:
Early detection allows for early initiation of appropriate treatment, such as antibiotics. Appropriate treatment can prevent the disease from worsening and reduce the occurrence of complications.
Improving health:
Early treatment can speed up recovery and provide faster symptom relief. It can also improve the quality of daily life by reducing pain and discomfort.
Preventing the spread of infection:
Since pneumonia can be contagious, early detection and appropriate measures can reduce the risk of infecting others.
Reducing medical costs: Early detection can reduce medical costs by managing the disease with simple treatment. If treatment is delayed, hospitalization or complex treatment may be required, which can increase the financial burden.
Protecting high-risk groups:
Elderly and children have weak immune systems and are at greater risk of fatal outcomes from pneumonia. Early diagnosis and treatment are important to protect the lives of these high-risk groups.
source:
1. Atypical (Walking) Pneumonia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15744-pneumonia-atypical-walking-pneumonia
2. Walking Pneumonia in Kids: Signs, Diagnosis & Treatment
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/walking-pneumonia.html
3. Walking Pneumonia: What You Should Know
https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/walking-pneumonia
4. Everything You Should Know About Walking Pneumonia in Kids
https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/walking-pneumonia-in-kids
5. Many with walking pneumonia don’t realize they’re sick
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/many-with-walking-pneumonia-dont-realize-theyre-sick