Sick, but not too sick, with walking pneumonia



DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Please enlighten me on walking pneumonia. I have had a cough and finally consulted my doctor. I don't feel all that bad, but I don't feel all that good, either. The doctor had me get an X-ray. He then called to tell me I have walking pneumonia. Pneumonia sounds terrifying. Should I be in the hospital and taking medicine? -- H.W.

Dr. Donohue

ANSWER: The definition of "pneumonia" is "lung inflammation." Many things inflame the lungs. Inhaled chemicals can do it. Poison gases used in World War I promoted a special kind of pneumonia. But as far as cases of pneumonia, bacteria, viruses and mycoplasmas (microorganisms between bacteria and viruses) are the most common causes of lung inflammation.

Bacterial pneumonias provoke all the signs and symptoms of pneumonia: high fevers, shaking chills and nonstop cough. People become so sick that they're confined to their beds and placed on antibiotics. Hospitalization often is required, during which they're given intravenous antibiotics.

Viral pneumonias, on the other hand, have less florid symptoms. People with a viral pneumonia don't feel great, but they don't feel sick enough to take to their beds. Temperature rises, but not to the height it does with bacterial pneumonia. Patients don't feel as done in as they do with bacterial pneumonia. Viral pneumonia, therefore, often is called walking pneumonia.

Exceptions to all rules exist. Some viral pneumonias are grave illnesses, and some bacterial pneumonias are relatively minor illnesses.

The world would be a better place if the term "walking pneumonia" disappeared.

TO READERS: Coronary artery disease is perhaps the most prevalent illness in all countries of the world. It's a narrowing of heart arteries due to the buildup of plaque, a mound of cholesterol, fats and other substances. It's the leading cause of death. The booklet on coronary artery disease explains the details of this illness and its treatment. Readers can order a copy by writing: Dr. Donohue -- No. 101, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient's printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have taken Tenormin for a number of months to keep my heart beating regularly. Since I started this drug, I have been quite depressed. I blame it on this medicine. Is that unreasonable? -- T.T.

ANSWER: Not so long ago, many doctors shied away from giving Tenormin to anyone who previously suffered from depression. The fear was that it could cause a return of depression. That fear isn't prevalent anymore. Depression is widespread. Beta blockers, the family of medicines to which Tenormin belongs, also is widely used. It's difficult to know if a depression or a return of depression is truly due to this medicine -- so many other factors are involved.

Depression is listed as a possible side effect. It's not a common side effect. If your doctor believes your depression comes from Tenormin, the doctor will give you a schedule to taper the dose so you can gradually get off it. You should not stop the medicine suddenly.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I swear to you, Doctor, that I can predict an oncoming storm because my arthritis begins to flare. I have it in my knees. Most people say I'm nuts. But this is the truth. What do you think? -- R.J.

ANSWER: Respected scientists support the idea that arthritic joints are apt to act up when humidity rises with a simultaneous fall in barometric pressure. Those meteorological signs are signs that a storm is about to strike. I don't know why some arthritic joints respond to these changes with an increase in pain. You're not the only one with arthritis who says they do. I'd like to find out why this happens.

I think your observations are legit. How about you tell me why this happens.

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Dr. Donohue

Last modified: August 4, 2012