LU season is here. Many get sick,  catch  cold and cough. If you feel exhausted, with sore throat, headache, and slight fever, don’t dismiss it as just another case of flu that  will go away after two to three days of rest. Flu might one think,  it be a walking pneumonia.

A post in iVillage.com state that this is not a typical pneumonia. Usually a person afflicted with typical pneumonia is hospitalized because of lung infection involving bacteria, viruses or even fungi.

But a walking pneumonia, also known as atypical pneumonia, is caused by a lung infection with mycoplasmas, infinitesimal organisms that resemble bacteria.

It is common in children and teenagers but as the disease continuously spreads, it also affects the elderly. And one can easily catch it through coughs, sneezes, direct and extended physical contact. Unlike typical pneumonia, walking pneumonia does not require hospitalization. The disease usually lasts for 10 days.

Depending on a person’s stamina and metabolism, walking pneumonia will clear up by itself. But others with weak immune system may get worse. Walking pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, although in extremely mild cases, a doctor may not treat it at all.  Drinking lot of liquids and getting enough rest will solve the problem. Taking over-the-counter medicine for cold and flu will not help.

Since it’s flu season, the best defense is to build up resistance by strengthening the immune system. Exercise, good nutrition and eight hours of sleep all help the body fight  infection. And of course, always wash and sanitize your hands.