Walking Pneumonia....how contagious?

[tiggerlover]

I just found out that my niece has walking Pneumonia and she and her family are coming for a visit on Tuesday for 5 days. I am not sure when she was diagnosed, but I am curious to know if she will still be contagious 5 days from now, does anyone know?

 

[ChristmasElf]

Pneumonia is NOT the least bit contagious whether it just be pneumonia or walking pneumonia!
It is fluid buildup in the lungs and is more of a problem for the patient that has it than anyone around them!
She is no doubt on meds and should start to feel better in a few days.
Don't worry, you are safe!

 

[tiggerlover]

Pneumonia is NOT the least bit contagious whether it just be pneumonia or walking pneumonia!
It is fluid buildup in the lungs and is more of a problem for the patient that has it than anyone around them!
She is no doubt on meds and should start to feel better in a few days.
Don't worry, you are safe!

Since posting my question I found this on Health A to Z: "walking pneumonia is often contagious within a family. Someone with walking pneumonia can spread infection for as long as 20 days, and someone sleeping in the same room is at particular risk." Then another site said what you stated, so I am confused. I don't want to put my family at risk if there is a chance of passing it on. Off to research some more.

 

[goofyforlife]

My DD had walking pnuemonia a couple years ago.... We had to take her to the pediatricians for medicines a couple time.

Not two weeks later i came down with similar symptoms... I went to my dr and told her about what my DD had. She said i didn't have fluid in my lungs but i did have the worst case of bronchitis ever. Ever ended up with scar tissue on one of my lungs from all of the coughing.

My DH was fine the whole time though.....

But do i think it can be contagious? I wouldn't want someone with it to come to my house unless i knew they had been on antibiotics for at least 3-4 days.

 

[ElizK]

Both times my DD14 has had walking pneumonia I was told by the doctor that she was contagious and to keep her home until she's been on the antibiotic for 24hrs. No one else in the family got it, though.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Pneumonia is contagious just not as contagious as the virus/cold that began the whole process. Since the infection is so deep in the lungs it isnt as easy to transfer it. If someone does get sick from the infected person it will most likely result in the cold that started it all. The result of what is to become of the person that caught it will depend on that person's own susceptibility.

With that said, no I wouldnt have them over while she is sick and the antibiotics wont matter, maybe.

 

[yeartolate]

Walking pneumonia is pneumonia. She should stay home and rest until she is all better.

A young girl with pneumonia during the Summer - maybe she should take it easy for awhile .

But if she visits, you all should be safe.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Here is the thing...I have had pneumonia badly, so has my dd's. Once you get it you have to be careful!

She might be coughing constantly and coughing up crap. That is where the problem lies. Me and my dd's would probably get sick, maybe not pneumonia, but we end up sick.

 

[Wonderlandmom]

I got viral pneumonia from my sister when I was a teenager. It is contagious. I have had mycoplasma pneumonia (walking pneumonia) twice and have read and was told it is contagious, spreads easily. My children have each had it once, and the Dr. did say it was contagious. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/mycoplasmapneum_t.htm

So yes, pneumonia can be contagious! There are several types of pneumonia.
http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc64.html

 

[Lanshark]

I had pneumonia last winter. I teach school. I was told, by the doctor, that I could not go back to school until my lungs were clear. I felt much better after about a week but I was not totally clear for three weeks. The last week I felt great. No problems what so ever. The xrays still showed that I wasn't totally clear. They would not release me. The reason they gave was that I was contagious. The school got a written release from my doctor before I could resume teaching.

 

[taximomfor4]

Walking pneumonia can be caused by one of several microbes. Whether or not she is contagious, and for how long, really depends on which microbe caused hers.

If she is coughing up phlegm, handle it with great care. Have her wash her hands properly, often. Personally, I would not have her over until her chest is clear since droplets are probably where most of the contagion is.

 

[tiggerlover]

Thanks for your replies, I appreciate the information. I still haven't talked with her mom to find out if she is on antibiotics and since she is only 5 I think it will be hard for her to keep her germs to herself. I am guessing they won't change their plans, so I guess we will see.

 

[ntsammy5]

Pneumonia is NOT the least bit contagious whether it just be pneumonia or walking pneumonia!
It is fluid buildup in the lungs and is more of a problem for the patient that has it than anyone around them!
She is no doubt on meds and should start to feel better in a few days.
Don't worry, you are safe!

Corrctomundo. Not contagious.