What Causes Walking Pneumonia in Adults?

There are many things that have the ability to cause walking pneumonia, which is a milder form of pneumonia, in adults. Among the most common are bacteria and viruses, though fungi and other infection-causing agents may cause this condition as well. Interestingly, a person can also develop this disease because of the inhalation of food or chemicals. It is important to note that a diagnosis of walking pneumonia in adults doesn't necessarily mean there is no risk of complications or need for treatment. It is possible for walking pneumonia in adults to get worse, and doctors typically recommend treating it with antibiotics.

In most cases, bacteria and viruses cause walking pneumonia in adults, though other types of infections may cause it as well. For example, a person can also develop this condition as a result of fungi. Sometimes the inhalation of a fungus, such as Histoplasma capsulatum, can result in this condition, though it is possible for a person to inhale this fungus and have no reaction.

An individual also can catch walking pneumonia from another person. This illness is spread in much the same way as a cold or other type of contagious respiratory infection. When an individual who has walking pneumonia sneezes or coughs into the air, the droplets he emits have the potential to infect another person. He can also spread the infection via used tissues or by touching and contaminating surfaces with the virus or bacteria that caused his case of the infection. Additionally, a person could contract it by kissing a person who is already infected with walking pneumonia.

Anyone can develop a case of walking pneumonia, but some people may be more at risk for it than others. For example, a person who works or lives in a crowded environment may be more likely to catch it. This includes people who work in schools and hospitals as well as those who live or work in prisons or shelters for the homeless. In places like these that have crowded conditions, it is much harder to avoid contagious diseases.

It is important to keep in mind that a person can develop walking pneumonia without catching it from another person. For example, an individual may develop it when he inhales a foreign body that gets trapped in his lungs. This can occur when a person accidentally inhales food or vomit. Walking pneumonia in adults may also result when a person inhales a chemical that causes irritation of his airways.