Atypical pneumonia

Background

Atypical pneumonia is a type of pneumonia that is not caused by the typical pathogens that classically cause pneumonia, which include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus. Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. The presentation of atypical pneumonia also differs from that of "typical" pneumonia, in that extra-pulmonary symptoms are more likely present, such as arthralgia, fatigue, fever, headache, myalgia. The organisms most commonly responsible for atypical pneumonia include Chlamydia pneumoniae, Legionella pneumoniae, and, Mycoplasma pneumoniae.