ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA Meaning and
Definition
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Atypical pneumonia, also known as walking pneumonia, is a type of lung infection that differs from typical pneumonia in terms of its causative agents, symptom presentation, and response to treatment. It is characterized by an inflammation of the lungs, primarily affecting the alveoli and the interstitial tissue.
Unlike typical pneumonia, which is commonly caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, atypical pneumonia is most frequently caused by other infectious agents such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila. These microorganisms are referred to as "atypical" because they do not exhibit the classic Gram stain characteristics associated with typical bacteria.
Symptoms of atypical pneumonia often include a slowly developing, persistent cough, mild to moderate fever, fatigue, headache, and myalgia. Unlike typical pneumonia, which typically presents with sudden onset, high fever, and productive cough, atypical pneumonia tends to have a milder course and may even be mistaken for a common cold or bronchitis.
Treatment for atypical pneumonia usually involves the administration of antibiotics, specifically macrolides or tetracyclines, as they are effective against the atypical bacteria commonly responsible for the infection. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential to prevent complications and the spread of the infection.
In summary, atypical pneumonia is a distinct form of lung infection caused by various microorganisms different from those causing typical pneumonia. Its symptoms and treatment differ from those associated with typical pneumonia, thus requiring specific attention and management.
Common Misspellings for ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA
- ztypical pneumonia
- stypical pneumonia
- wtypical pneumonia
- qtypical pneumonia
- arypical pneumonia
- afypical pneumonia
- agypical pneumonia
- ayypical pneumonia
- a6ypical pneumonia
- a5ypical pneumonia
- attpical pneumonia
- atgpical pneumonia
- athpical pneumonia
- atupical pneumonia
- at7pical pneumonia
- at6pical pneumonia
- atyoical pneumonia
- atylical pneumonia
- aty-ical pneumonia
Etymology of ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA
The word "atypical" comes from the Greek prefix "a-" meaning "not" or "without", and the word "typical" derived from the Greek stem "typos" meaning "mark" or "imprint". "Pneumonia" comes from the Greek word "pneumon" meaning "lung" and the suffix "-ia" indicating a medical condition or disease.
Therefore, "atypical pneumonia" refers to a type of lung infection that is characterized by its unusual or non-classic presentation compared to the typical symptoms of pneumonia. It is called "atypical" because the symptoms and signs are often different from those of the most common community-acquired pneumonia caused by bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae. Atypical pneumonia is usually caused by other pathogens such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila.
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