Walking Pneumonia Treatment in Tampa, FL

Woman sick at home sitting on couch and blowing her nose

Pneumonia is a common respiratory illness that can be viral or bacterial. The infection causes the air sacs in the lungs to become inflamed and fill with fluid, which can lead to difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, fever, and chills. The severity of the symptoms can vary widely, and hospitalization is necessary in some cases. The term “walking pneumonia” describes a mild case of pneumonia that does not require a hospital stay or bed rest.

As a trusted source of non-emergency urgent care services in Tampa, Florida, South Tampa Immediate Care offers the latest diagnostic and treatment options for walking pneumonia and other respiratory infections. Our team is available every day during extended hours, and we do not require appointments.

What Are the Symptoms of Walking Pneumonia?

The initial signs of walking pneumonia are usually cold-like, such as:

  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Nasal congestion
  • Earache

Because the illness tends to be mild, most infected people continue to “walk around” as usual. However, as the infection progresses, it may settle in the lungs and bronchial tubes, causing a cough that can linger for several weeks. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention for persistent symptoms.

How Is Walking Pneumonia Diagnosed and Treated?

At South Tampa Immediate Care, we will ask about your medical history, perform a thorough physical exam, and listen to your lungs with a stethoscope. Additionally, we may order a diagnostic chest X-ray, which we can perform on-site.

Even though walking pneumonia does not usually require bed rest, the illness can leave you feeling wiped out and miserable. If we determine that you have bacterial pneumonia, we may prescribe a course of antibiotics, which can help reduce both the severity and duration of your symptoms.

As you recover from walking pneumonia, you may benefit from home remedies, such as an over-the-counter pain reliever, fever reducer, nasal decongestant, or cough suppressant. Additionally, you can protect your health and strengthen your immune system by getting enough rest, eating a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water, and washing your hands thoroughly and often.

Is Walking Pneumonia Contagious?

Walking pneumonia is easily spread through respiratory droplets that become airborne when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks, and then are inhaled by others. Therefore, even though you may not feel sick enough to stay home from work or school, it is important that you do so, at least for a few days, to avoid transmitting the illness to those around you.

If you have pneumonia symptoms, contact or visit South Tampa Immediate Care in Tampa, FL, right away. You can also check in online if you like. Our team can get to the bottom of your illness and help you feel better as soon as possible.