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Atypical pneumonia

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It is an inflammation of the lung secondary to an infection.

It is called atypical because it does not follow the usual clinical or radiological course and the germ causing it is usually different from the common ones (Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Coxiella burnetti, Legionella pneumophila and Chlamydophila psitacci).

General symptoms are more striking than respiratory symptoms. Such as headache, confusion, low energy, loss of appetite, muscle aches, diarrhoea, etc.

Diagnosis is made by clinical history, physical examination and will be confirmed by blood test, X-ray and serology.

Supportive treatment includes oxygen therapy if there is moderate to severe respiratory insufficiency, analgesics, antipyretics, bronchodilators, etc. Antibiotic treatment will vary depending on the causative germ.

Bibliographic references
  1. Thomas J Marrie, Thomas M File, Jr. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and microbiology of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. UpToDate. May 05, 2016.
  2. Mandell LA, Wunderink RG, Anzueto A, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society consensus guidelines on the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Clin Infect Dis 2007; 44 Suppl 2:S27.
  3. Musher DM, Thorner AR. Community-acquired pneumonia. N Engl J Med 2014; 371:1619.
  4. Agustín Juián Jiménez, Francisco javier Candel González, Juan González del Castillo. Neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010.637:649.
  5. Jain S, Self WH, Wunderink RG, et al. Community-Acquired Pneumonia Requiring Hospitalization among U.S. Adults. N Engl J Med 2015; 373:415.
  6. Lionel A. Mandell, Richard G. Wunderink. Neumonía. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19ª Edición. 803:813.
  7. Infecciones del aparato respiratorio. Neumonía extrahospitalaria. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen I. Duodécima edición. 774:784.
Author
Dr. Oscar Garcia-Esquirol
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Tiredness / fatigue

    Feeling generally unwell

    Dry cough

    Fever / Feel very hot

    Difficulty breathing

Symptoms to watch out for

Fever that doesn't subside with antipyretics (paracetamol, ibuprofen)
Cough worsening
Pain in the chest when breathing
History of a severe lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Difficulty breathing
Be 65 years old or more
Have some comorbidity such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, brain disease, liver disease.
History of immunodeficiency (HIV, diabetes mellitus, oncological disorders, long-term corticosteroid consumption).

Self-care

Consume over-the-counter analgesics and antipyretics in case of muscle pain or fever (Tº > 38ºC).
Maintain a balanced diet: increase fruit, vegetable, and white meat consumption and reduce the intake of fatty meals and fritters.
Maintain hydration of 2 litres per day.
Check with your general practitioner about the prescription for antibiotics.
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