Pneumonia Signs And Symptoms

General pneumonia symptoms resemble symptoms for the flu. Conditions that may look like pneumonia include bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and tuberculosis.

You don't always know right away that you have pneumonia. Once symptoms for pneumonia begin, they usually come on fast.

There's some variety in the kinds of organisms that cause pneumonia, and therefore specific symptoms also vary somewhat. Most pneumonia is caused by bacteria. When this is the case, symptoms for pneumonia include the following.

Pneumonia symptoms in adults There's a general feeling of fatigue or being tired; lack of motivation and malaise. Fever is likely, often accompanied by shivering and shaking chills.

Coughing accompanies almost every case of pneumonia. It may be a dry cough at first, but in a day or two the pneumonia patient starts to cough up phlegm. The phlegm is usually yellow, bloodstained or rust-coloured.

Short, shallow breathing (also known as shortness of breath or dyspnea) often occurs. You may find yourself gasping for air. Breathing can be so difficult in severe cases that cyanosis may be a threat. Cyanosis is a condition in which you don't get enough oxygen your lips and nails may turn blue.

When you have pneumonia, there's a good chance you'll also experience pleurisy, which is chest pain that rises and falls with breathing. Wheezing is also a possibility.

Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur in some cases. Headaches are among the more common symptoms for pneumonia. Muscular pain and body aches are typical.

An individual with pneumonia is likely to perspire more quickly. Sweating may be heavy. A more rapid heart rate and quickened pulse may occur.

Cold sores in or around the mouth occur frequently among pneumonia patients. This happens because your immune system has been weakened and is now more susceptible to the herpes virus which causes such sores.

A state of mental confusion and inability to concentrate is common. This is especially likely in elderly patients.

Symptoms for pneumonia not caused by bacteria include many of the same symptoms as the bacterial variety. But they don't come on as suddenly and they tend to be less severe. When you have nonbacterial pneumonia, you may not even be aware you have pneumonia. This is the type of pneumonia that's commonly known as "walking pneumonia."

Once you realize you have symptoms for pneumonia, it's important to get professional medical help as soon as you can. A particularly nagging and persistent cough, a fever around 102 F or 38.9 C, accompanied by sweating and chills, are classis symptoms for pneumonia and signs you need to see a doctor.

Pneumonia often follows a respiratory infection like a cold or the flu. Be especially sensitive to your symptoms if they seem to be getting worse.

Pneumonia symptoms in the elderly Ironically, symptoms of pneumonia are often milder in high-risk groups, especially the elderly. Older people may not even experience fever, which is almost inevitable in younger individuals with pneumonia.

It's especially important for individuals in high risk groups to recognize symptoms for pneumonia and seek medial advice right away. These high risk groups include older adults, smokers, those who drink alcohol a lot, individuals with reduced immune systems, and cancer patients who are taking certain medications that suppress the immune system.

Pneumonia symptoms in children Children are also considered to be a high risk group for pneumonia. Symptoms usually depend on age.

• In newborns (younger than 1 month), symptoms may include lethargy, poor feeding, and fever.
• In toddlers and older children, symptoms for pneumonia are no different than symptoms for adults.

Individuals with heart disease or other lung diseases should also know how to recognize symptoms for pneumonia, because it can quickly become a life-threatening condition for these individuals.

We have related articles on lung infection types and walking pneumonia.

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