Because the symptoms and physical signs of mycoplasma pneumonia, along with the course of the illness, differ strikingly from those of classic pneumococcal pneumonia, mycoplasma pneumonia was once believed to be caused by one or more undiscovered viruses, and was called "primary atypical pneumonia."

The pneumonia caused by mycoplasmas:

• is usually mild and widespread
• rarely causes death, even in untreated cases

Symptoms

The most prominent symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia are:

• a cough that tends to come in violent paroxysms
• a sparse white sputum

Early symptoms are:

• chilly sensations
• nausea or vomiting
• slow heartbeat

In some extreme cases, early onset symptoms may also be accompanied by:

• breathlessness
• bluish cast to lips and nailbeds

Are You at Risk?

Mycoplasma Pneumonia:

• affects all age groups
• occurs most frequently in older children and young adults