How to Treat Atypical Pneumonia?

Posted by editor2 on Monday 06 Apr 2009

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Atypical pneumonia is a term denoted to describe a type of pneumonia not caused by one of the more traditional pathogens. It can be characterized as pneumonia without lobar consolidation. While atypical pneumonias are usually associated with milder forms of pneumonia, it can be quite severe and lead to high mortality rates.

Causes
Atypical pneumonia due to chlamydophila and mycoplasma bacteria normally cause mild forms of pneumonia, different from other types of the disease that can come on and affect more quickly with severe early symptoms.

Mycoplasma pneumonia normally affects younger people and may be related with anemia, certain kinds of rashes, and neurological conditions such as meningitis, encephalitis and myelitis. Pneumonia due to Chlamydia is related to bacteria and develops year round and accounts for 5 to 15% of all pneumonias. It is normally a mild form of pneumonia with a comparatively low death rate.

Atypical pneumonia due to Legionella reasons for 2 to 6% of pneumonias and has a very higher death rate. Older adults, smokers, and weakened immune systems, and those with chronic illnesses are at higher risk for this kind of pneumonia. Breathing in contaminated air has also been related to pneumonia due to Legionella. As the conditions caused by these agents have various courses and respond to several treatments, more specific identification of the pneumonia should be used when possible.

Symptoms
Some of the symptoms usually associated with atypical pneumonia include general ill feeling, loss of appetite, cough, chills, fever, rash, headache, muscle stiffness and aching, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, diarrhea and confusion.

Treatment
Antibiotics are mainly used to treat atypical pneumonia. In mild cases antibiotics may be given orally. In severe cases the patient will be admitted to a hospital where antibiotics will be given through a vein as well as oxygen. Some of the antibiotics used to treat atypical pneumonia include tetracyclines, erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, fluoroquinolones and their derivatives.