Mycoplasma pneumonia (MP) is a contagious respiratory infection that spreads easily through contact with respiratory fluids. It can cause epidemics.MP is known as an atypical pneumonia and is sometimes called “walking pneumonia.” It spreads quickly in crowded areas, such as schools, college campuses, and nursing homes. When an infected person coughs or sneezes, moisture containing the MP bacteria is released into the air. Uninfected people in their environment can easily breathe the bacteria in. Up to one-fifth of all lung infections Trusted Source that people develop in their community (outside of a hospital) are caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria. The bacteria can cause tracheobronchitis (chest colds), sore throats, and ear infections as well as pneumonia. A dry cough is the most common sign of infection. Untreated or severe cases can affect the brain, heart, peripheral nervous system, skin, and kidneys and cause hemolytic anaemia. In rare cases, MP is fatal. Early diagnosis is difficult because there are few unusual symptoms. As MP progresses, imaging and laboratory tests may be able to detect it. Doctors use antibiotics to treat MP. You may need intravenous antibiotics if oral antibiotics don’t work or if the pneumonia is severe.MP symptoms are different from those of typical pneumonia caused by common bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Haemophilus.