Cold Symptoms

• The early onset of walking pneumonia will be similar to a bad cold. A slight fever, stuffy nose and cough will develop. The symptoms of someone with walking pneumonia will gradually get worse over a period of weeks.
  
  

Sore Throat and Bad Cough

• The definition of pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, so as the disease progresses symptoms will begin to settle in the chest. A sore throat develops, and the cough worsens--likely with mucus discharge.
  
  

Duration

• Without proper medical attention, walking pneumonia will persist for two weeks to a month. The excessive coughing will cause chest soreness and possible hoarseness. A doctor can prescribe antibiotics if it is a bacterial infection.
  
  

Final Stage

• After the bulk of the symptoms have cleared up, a dry cough will persist for four to six weeks.
  
  

Susceptibility

• Young children, the elderly and those who are immune-system compromised can develop more severe pneumonia symptoms including fluid in the lungs. A doctor should be contacted immediately to monitor and treat the illness.