Pneumonia: a scary word, not just to spell, but to hear come out of the doctor’s mouth when you or someone you know is diagnosed with it. It’s definitely a problem for those with compromised immune systems, such as children, the elderly or those who are HIV positive but quite simply the definition of pneumonia is: an inflammation of the lungs. It can be caused by microorganisms, viruses, chemical irritants, or foreign bodies such as fungi. 'Walking pneumonia' is a type of pneumonia that, even if you let it go untreated, it won't have you confined to bed- hence the 'walking' part. It just makes the sufferer really, really miserable. Generally, the organism to blame for all this is called Mycoplasma pneumoniae, a most common and major cause in many a respiratory infection. It can be contagious but it requires prolonged contact. Those with walking pneumonia are bothered with a hacking cough and with the cough being worse at night, people sleeping in the same room would be most … [Read more...]