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Atypical pneumonia refers to pneumonia caused by certain bacteria, including Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
This article provides a general overview of atypical pneumonia.
See also:
- Legionella pneumonia (Legionnaire's disease)
- Mycoplasma pneumonia
Walking pneumonia; Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsAtypical pneumonia due to mycoplasma and chlamydophila bacteria usually cause mild forms of pneumonia, unlike other types of the disease that can come on more quickly with more severe early symptoms.
Mycoplasma pneumonia often affects younger people and may be associated with anemia, certain types of rashes, and neurological conditions such as meningitis, myelitis, and encephalitis. For more information on this type of pneumonia, see: Mycoplasma pneumonia
Pneumonia due to chlamydia-related bacteria occurs year round and accounts for 5 - 15% of all pneumonias. It is usually mild with a low Death Rate.
Atypical pneumonia due to Legionella accounts for 2 - 6% of pneumonias and has a higher death rate. Older adults, smokers, and those with chronic illnesses and weakened immune systems are at higher risk for this type of pneumonia. Breathing in contaminated air (such as that from infected air conditioning systems) has also been linked to pneumonia due to Legionella. For more information on this type of pneumonia, see: Legionnaire's disease
Symptoms- Chills
- Confusion (especially with Legionella pneumonia)
- Cough
- Diarrhea (especially with Legionella pneumonia)
- Fever
- General ill feeling
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle stiffness and aching
- Rapid breathing
- Rash (especially with mycoplasma pneumonia)
- Shortness of breath
Persons with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation, including a thorough physical exam and a chest x-ray -- especially since the physical exam may not always distinguish pneumonia from acute bronchitis or other respiratory infections.
Depending on the severity of illness, additional studies may be done, include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood cultures
- Blood tests for antibodies to specific bacteria
- Bronchoscopy
- Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources)
- Sputum culture
Urine tests or a throat swab may also be done.
TreatmentAntibiotics are used to treat atypical pneumonia. If you have a mild case, you may be able to take antibiotics by mouth. If you have severe atypical pneumonia, you will likely be admitted to a hospital where you will be given antibiotics through a vein (intravenously), as well as oxygen.
Antibiotics used to treat atypical pneumonia include:
- Azithromycin
- Clarithromycin
- Erythromycin
- Fluoroquinolones and their derivatives (such as levofloxacin)
- Tetracyclines (such as doxycycline)
Most patients with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydophila do well with appropriate antibiotic therapy, although there is a small chance that the infection will return if antibiotics are used for fewer than 2 weeks.
While atypical pneumonias are commonly associated with milder forms of pneumonia, pneumonia due to Legionella, in particular, can be quite severe, especially among the elderly and those with chronic diseases and weakened immune systems. It is associated with a higher death rate.
Complications- Hemolytic anemia (especially with mycoplasma pneumonia)
- Lung failure
Contact your health care provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath. There are numerous causes for these symptoms. The doctor will need to rule out pneumonia.
PreventionThere is no known prevention for atypical pneumonia. No vaccine is available at this time for atypical pneumonia.
ReferencesLimper AH. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2007:chap 97.
Mandell LA, Wunderink RG, Anzueto A, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society consensus guidelines on the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;44:S27-S72.
Atypical pneumonia refers to pneumonia caused by certain bacteria, including Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
Pneumonia is a condition in which there is an infection of the lung.
Alternative NamesWalking pneumonia; Chlamydophila pneumoniae; Community-acquired pneumonia - atypical
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsMycoplasma pneumonia is a type of atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacteria M. pneumoniae. It typically affects people younger than age 40. For more information on this type of pneumonia, see: Mycoplasma pneumonia
Pneumonia due to chlamydia-related bacteria occurs year round and accounts for 5 - 15% of all pneumonias. It is usually mild.
Pneumonia due to Legionella is seen more often in middle-aged and older adults, smokers, and those with chronic illnesses or a weak immune system.
See also: Legionnaire's disease
SymptomsPneumonia due to mycoplasma and chlamydophila bacteria is usually mild.
- Pneumonia due to Legionella pneumophila gets worse during the first 4 - 6 days, and then improves over 4 - 5 days.
- Even though symptoms will improve, it may take a while for them to go away completely.
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 climb stairs)
Other symptoms include:
- Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
- Confusion, especially in older people or those with Legionella pneumonia
- Headache
- Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
- Muscle aches and joint stiffness
- Sweating and clammy skin
Less common symptoms include:
- Diarrhea (especially 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)
Persons with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation. It may be hard for your health care provider to tell whether you have pneumonia or bronchitis, so you may need a chest x-ray. Depending on the severity of the illness, other tests may be done, including:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood cultures
- Blood tests to identify the bacteria
- Bronchoscopy(rarely needed)
- CT scan of the chest
- Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources)
- Sputum culture
Urine tests or a throat swab may also be done.
TreatmentTake these steps at home:
- Control your fever with aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen), or acetaminophen. DO NOT give aspirin to children.
- Do not take cough medicines without first talking to your doctor. 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.
Antibiotics are used to treat atypical pneumonia.
- You may be able to take antibiotics by mouth at home.
- If you have severe atypical pneumonia, you will likely be admitted to a hospital, where you will be given antibiotics through a vein (intravenously), as well as oxygen.
- Antibiotics are used for 2 weeks or more
Antibiotics used to treat atypical pneumonia include:
- Azithromycin
- Clarithromycin
- Erythromycin
- Fluoroquinolones and their derivatives (such as levofloxacin)
- Tetracyclines (such as doxycycline)
Most patients with pneumonia due to mycoplasma or chlamydophila do well with the right antibiotic therapy. P.Legionella can be severe, leading to problems such as kidney failure, Diabetes, COPD, a weak immune system, and death.
Complications- Brain and nervous system infections, such as meningitis, myelitis, and encephalitis
- Hemolytic anemia, a condition in which there are not enough red blood cells in the blood because the body is destroying them
- Severe lung damage
Contact your health care provider if you develop fever, cough, or shortness of breath. There are numerous causes for these symptoms. The doctor will need to rule out pneumonia.
PreventionWash your hands often and have other people around you do the same.
If your immune system is weak, stay away from crowds. Ask visitors who have a cold to wear a mask.
Get a flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia vaccine.
ReferencesBaum SG. Mycoplasma pneumoniae and atypical pneumonia. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 184.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/15/2010
Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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What is M. pneumoniae also called?
This type of pneumonia is also called atypical pneumonia, walking pneumonia, or community-acquired pneumonia
Is viral atypical pneumonia contagious?
See related links. Known viral causes of atypical pneumonia are severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and measles. Both of these viral conditions are contagious.
Which organism causes primary atypical pneumonia?
Mycoplasma pneumoniae
What can you do if you have had a head cold for four weeks that has gone into your chest and you might have atypical pneumonia and one course of penicillin did not help and you are now on tetracycline?
poo
Can pneumonia or bronchitis leave a node on your lung?
Go to your doctor. From the look of the question you're going to need him. I have been to my doctor.......but after a needle biopsy showing atypical cells I'd like to know if this could have been caused by the pneumonia or bronchitis I had.
A Cold, the Flu or Walking Pneumonia?
Ever heard of Walking pneumonia? It�s actually the name given to a mild form of pneumonia, also known as atypical pneumonia. People who suffer from walking pneumonia don�t usually end up in the hospital or even confined to bed. Most report feeling as if they simply have a bad cold. Symptoms include:Fever and chillsCoughing in violent spasms/ no mucusHeadacheSore throatWeakness that holds on after other symptoms have vanished
What is the life cycle for tuberculosis?
There are few different kinds of pneumonia. So obviously the treatment and life cycle are different. Names of illness are representing the source of infection. For example CAP pneumonia stands for Community Acquired Pneumonia, HAP - Hospital Acquired Pneumonia. There few others such are Aspiration and Atypical Pneumonia. Aspiration type of pneumonia can occur you inhale food, drink, vomit, or saliva from your mouth into your lungs. This may happen if something disturbs your normal gag reflex, such as a brain injury, swallowing problem, or excessive use of alcohol or drugs. Aspiration pneumonia can cause pus to form in a cavity in the lung. When this happens, it's called a lung abscess (AB-ses). THE IMPORTANT CHANGE AFTER THE TREATMENT IS TO STOP USING ALCOHOL, TOBACO AND/OR NON MEDICAL DRUGS (NARCOTICS). Atypical Pneumonia is caused by several types of bacteria - Legionella , mycoplasma pneumonia, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae - cause atypical pneumonia, a type of CAP. Atypical pneumonia is passed from person to person. The treatment is medicine. There is another form called PCP. It is a kind of pneumonia caused by bacteria called Pneumocystis jiroveci. Most people infected with P. jiroveci don't get pneumonia because their immune systems are healthy and strong. People whose immune systems are weak because of HIV infection or cancer can get PCP. PCP is less common than it used to be, but it's still the most common serious infection in people who have advanced HIV disease in the US. •Bronchopneumonia •Nosocomial pneumonia. This is another name for hospital-acquired pneumonia. •Walking pneumonia. This refers to pneumonia that's mild enough that you're not bedridden. •Double pneumonia. This refers to pneumonia that affects both lobes of the lungs.
What is the meaning of the term atypical?
Atypical means not customary or usual. She had an atypical accent for a Bostonian.
Mycoplasma?
1Lack a cell wall 2) Sterols in cell membrane provide strength & rigidity. 3) Smallest forms of life with minimum sized genome. 4) Colonies = "fried egg" appearance 5) Mycoplasma pneumoniae - atypical pneumonia or "walking pneumonia". (p. 590)
What are typical and atypical microorganisms that cause Hospital Acquired Pneumonia?
Pneumonia can be classified by several types1. whether community acquired or hospital acquired2. typical and atypicalMost of the hospital acquired type organisms cause atypical pneumonia.The microorganisms vary in these categories.hospital acquired pneumonia caused by:-Most commonly-P aeruginosaKlebsiella speciesEscherichia coliAcinetobacter speciesStaphylococcus aureus, (mrsa)Streptococcus pneumoniaeHaemophilus influenzaeLess-common pathogens-Serratia speciesLegionella species (Legionella nosocomial pneumonia occurs only in outbreaks or clusters.)Influenza A virusRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV)Parainfluenza virusAdenovirusExtremely rare causes-Enterobacter speciesStenotrophomonas maltophiliaBurkholderia cepaciaCandida speciesOropharyngeal anaerobes (non- Bacteroides fragilis)
What does the Greek prefix a mean in the word atypical?
The Greek prefix "a-" in "atypical" means "not" or "without," so "atypical" means not typical or not conforming to the usual pattern.
How do you use atypical in a sentence?
The word "atypical" is defined as literally not typical or not usual. An example of a sentence using the word "atypical" is "His reaction to the medication is atypical."
