Pneumonia caused by certain bacteria namely Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila and mycoplasm pneumoniae is known as Atypical pneumonia.
The pneumonia associated with legionella is in the milder state when it is the atypical pneumonia, but at times it turns severe and may cause high mortality rates among people.
Atypical pneumonia usually occurs in milder forms due to presence of Chlamydophila and Mycoplasm, this form is unlike the other forms and show slight symptoms rather than the severe forms where the symptoms are predominant.
Mycoplasm pneumonia is usually seen in people with all age groups but often affects the younger people more than others. The affects of mycoplasm pneumonia are mainly outside lungs and also the nervous disorders, mainly the symptoms outside the lungs are mild but the neurological disorders are severe.
The chlamydophila pneumonia is a year round occurring pneumonia which basically accounts for nearly 5-15% of the total pneumonias. This type of pneumonia usually has a low mortality rate. On the contrary, the legionella pneumonia accounts for 2-6% of all the total pneumonia. The legionella pneumonia has a high mortality rate.
These types of pneumonia are common for elderly people and those who have a weak immune system, people who are regular smokers or even those who have chronic illness are also easily affected by this type of pneumonia caused due to legionella.
The main symptoms of this type of atypical pneumonia caused by legionella are:
a) The patient suffering from this pneumonia usually suffers from high fever.
b) The patient may suffer from dry cough or sometimes it may be accompanied by phlegm.
c) Muscular stiffness and pain is common accompanied by headache.
d) The patient suffering from legionella pneumonia may have breathing problems, sometimes it may be short breathing or sometimes it can be rapid fast breathing. If this problem persists it can become severe.
e) The person suffering from legionella pneumonia may suffer from anorexia or loss of appetite.
f) The person can also suffer fro\m neurological or nervous disorders, he may show confusion or lot of mental depression.
g) Body rashes and even diarrhea are common symptoms of legionella pneumonia.
Test and signs for the detection of this type of atypical pneumonia:
People who are suspected for this kind of pneumonia should definitely undergo proper medical evaluation. This medical evaluation includes a thorough physical examination and chest X-ray done. X-ray is basically done because physical checkup may not necessarily distinguish between the serious pneumonia and other respiratory infections. According to the tests the complete blood count and sputum cultures may be obtained.
Urine or throat swab test are also common for such pnemonial suspects.
Treatment of Atypical pneumonia:
Mainly antibiotic therapy is given to counter atypical pneumonia, while the mild cases require home based treatment the severe cases may require through treatment of antibiotics with the proper oxygen supplementation. The main antibiotics given are clarithromycin, erythromycin, azithromycin, fluoroquinolones and their derivatives.
Prognosis and what to expect:
Mycoplasm and Chlamydophila pneumonia suffering patients can expect full relief through antibiotics, but they require proper treatment and no lacking on the patient’s part for complete relief. The pneumonia caused by legionella occurs mainly in people with weak immune system and is cause of very high mortality rate.
Complications that nay occur:
The atypical pneumonia may cause several complications such as:
1) Mechanical ventilation and other respiratory failures, these occur mostly in pneumonia caused by legionella.
2) Hemolytic anemia and rashes, these are associated with mycoplasmic pneumonia.
Prevention and treatment:
There are no such preventive measures that can be taken to prevent the atypical pneumonia, but for treatment wise proper medical guidance from a doctor is a must. If the symptoms shown are serious enough then quick medication should be taken to avoid any emergency.