Cedars-Sinai Blog
Ask a Doc: What’s Walking Pneumonia?
Have you ever had one of those colds that lingers and eventually makes its way into your lungs, where it resides as an unwanted, hacking, annoying guest? Then you might have experienced a bout of walking pneumonia.
Walking pneumonia, more formally known as atypical pneumonia, is a common infection with symptoms that can develop gradually over weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that walking pneumonia cases—specifically those caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma pneumoniae—have increased nationwide throughout 2024. In general, there are an estimated 2 million cases each year in the U.S.
We asked Angelena Lopez, MD, a pulmonary medicine specialist and associate director of Cedars-Sinai’s Medical Intensive Care Unit, about the signs of walking pneumonia and how to treat it.
"A new cough should always put your feelers up. If you have a fever, fatigue, sputum production—chances are you have some sort of infection going on."
Angelena R. Lopez, MD
What Is Walking Pneumonia?
"Walking pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial infection, but it is sometimes caused by a virus,” Lopez said. "It got this nickname because you can feel like you had a very bad cold, but you weren’t bed-ridden or didn’t need to take time off."
Symptoms of walking pneumonia include:
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Congestion/stuffy nose
- Low-grade fever
- Fatigue
- Sneezing
- One of the key clues that you’re experiencing the illness is that your symptoms appear gradually and last for weeks—or with coughs, even for months.
Should You Walk Around With Walking Pneumonia?
Even if you feel like running your errands, going into the office or going to school, it’s best not to, Lopez said. The same behaviors that gave the illness its nickname are also what help it spread. The infection is spread by droplets, so when someone with walking pneumonia coughs, sneezes, breathes or talks near you, they’re releasing droplets carrying the infection.
“It’s really common in younger kids and adults over age 65,” Lopez said. “People can be contagious before they’re showing symptoms, and they don’t feel that bad, so they don’t stay home. It especially spreads at school, where there are many people in close quarters.”
What’s the Best Way to Prevent Walking Pneumonia?
“Good hand hygiene is one of the cornerstones we have for preventing a lot of contagious illnesses,” Lopez said.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds. An alcohol-based hand sanitizer is also effective. Avoid touching your face and cover your coughs and sneezes.
Vaccines can also help prevent pneumonia. The CDC recommends a pneumonia vaccine for children under 5 and for adults over age 65. Adults of any age with a lung condition or other medical risk factors should also consider vaccination.
When Should I See a Doctor for Walking Pneumonia?
“A new cough should always put your feelers up,” Lopez said. “If you have a fever, fatigue, sputum production—chances are you have some sort of infection going on.”
If you’ve been treating your symptoms with over-the-counter medications and getting plenty of rest, but you’re not getting better, it’s time to see your doctor, she said.
For most people, walking pneumonia is an annoying condition—especially the lingering cough—but not a serious one. However, those with asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic lung problems are at higher risk of a serious infection and should see their doctor promptly.
