Many of us are aware of pneumonia being very dangerous. However, there is one type of pneumonia that is relatively harmless, called walking pneumonia. But is walking pneumonia contagious and harmful to the fetus during pregnancy?This is one question that women seek an answer for.
We have all heard of pneumonia and thus carry a notion in our mind about the atrocities it has the potential to cause to one’s health and well-being. However, if the ailment sounds strange to you, you would find your answers here. Walking pneumonia is by no means related to an ailment that is related to walking disabilities, nor does it mean to propose blood deficiency. It is, however, starkly different from both these assumptions. This type of pneumonia, also known as Mycoplasma pneumonia is an ailment that is characterized by a minor lung infection, moderate in intensity, that is caused by the Mycoplasma pneumoniae organism.
You might wonder as to why the ailment has the term ‘walking’ prefixed. It is done so, to suggest that the ailment exists for a short period of time. It does not continue for months together, it has its halt in a matter of a few days. However, there is a condition that applies in this situation. If the ailment is not caught on time or is neglected, the condition can extend its intensity up to a month. Also, if self-medication is what you resorted to get rid of the condition, you should then be prepared to face the tune for a month. However, this is needless to say that walking pneumonia should not be neglected.
Walking Pneumonia When Pregnant
This respiratory illness may occur and affect anyone irrespective of age or sex. However, children who are below the age of 15 and also pregnant women are at a greater risk of countering this condition. It can grip pregnant women and can affect the unborn child too. It depends on the to-be-mother to be extremely careful about her well-being and practice precaution so as not to get the immune system affected by the bacteria. During pregnancy, women are asked to avoid medication that is not prescribed by a health care professional. However, at this point in time, when women counter symptoms that are very similar to that of influenza, it is required that she consult a medical expert, and consider ingesting medications that are prescribed for countering symptoms like cold and cough which can rise to causing more serious infections.
Men and women are prone to take the symptoms of walking pneumonia — cold, cough, nausea, and fatigue — very lightly. Expecting mothers, however, have to take the condition seriously and consult a medical practitioner for assistance. The child is at a risk of encountering the effects of pneumonia. A variety of pneumonia types can be acquired by the neonate such as – bacterial pneumonia, fungal pneumonia, viral pneumonia, parasitic pneumonia, ventilator-associated pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, health care-associated pneumonia, atypical pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and severe acute respiratory syndrome. When the fetus is infected by the pneumonia through the mother, the child is susceptible to countering the infection. Pneumonia itself is not contagious, but, its vectors are contagious. However, the vector will not cause pneumonia, it will on the contrary cause influenza or flu, which if not treated on time, can lead to the manifestation of pneumonia. Therefore, the responsibility of ensuring the security of child lies on the mother. She has to take care of herself and have a strong immunity system, as the ailment during pregnancy is caused due to a weak and neglected immune system. The mother must be internally strong so as to fight with infections that she is susceptible to counter at a crucial period of pregnancy. Expecting women who have a medical history of asthma and anemia are more likely and are at a higher risk of countering pneumonia.
When antibiotics are administered with the doctor’s prescription, such as Beta-lactam and macrolide, they have been found to be effective in controlling maternal pneumonia and yielded positive results. However, strict medical supervision is important. You must bear this in mind that no antibiotics should be taken unless prescribed by your concerned health care professional. If the child counters walking pneumonia, the effects could be a resultant of low weight at birth. The complication for the baby can elevate to preterm birth. For the mother, if the complications increase, the condition can lead to respiratory failure.
Thus, walking pneumonia should not affect you, if you keep your immune system strong and ready to fight the odds. If you encounter any signs or symptoms of the same, it would be to your complete advantage to consult your health care guide immediately. You cannot afford to be negligent when the most essential part of you may encounter risk.
