Mycoplasma Pneumonia

How Long Do Symptoms Last?

Without treatment, a person with mycoplasma pneumonia may feel sick for a month or longer. With treatment, this time is usually decreased. A person usually starts to feel better a week after starting the medicine. Even after feeling better, however, a person may have a cough that lasts for several months.

Mycoplasma Pneumonia: An "Atypical Pneumonia"

Mycoplasma pneumonia is often categorized as an atypical pneumonia. Healthcare providers used to separate community-acquired bacterial pneumonia into two groups: "typical" and "atypical."

"Typical" bacteria include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Group A streptococci, and Moraxella catarrhalis, to a name a few.

"Atypical" refers to pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae. These bacteria tend to cause less severe forms of pneumonia.

There are no routine exams or tests to distinguish between pneumonia caused by atypical organisms and pneumonia caused by typical organisms. This is why these terms are not often used anymore.

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Walking Pneumonia Information

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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD

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Mycoplasma Pneumonia