Pneumonia is a serious lung infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Pneumonia can range from mild to severe and life-threatening. It is important to get checked for pneumonia by a doctor if you have symptoms, so you can receive proper treatment.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Some common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- Cough, which may produce green, yellow, or blood-tinged mucus
- Fever and chills
- Shortness of breath or rapid, shallow breathing
- Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when breathing deeply or coughing
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
- Sweating and clammy skin
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (more common in infants and young children)
In severe cases, pneumonia symptoms may also include:
- Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older)
- Lower than normal temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (in infants and small children)
Symptoms tend to develop over several days but can come on quickly with certain types of pneumonia. In some cases, mild symptoms may be present at first.
Who is most at risk for pneumonia?
Anyone can get pneumonia, but some people are at higher risk:
- Adults age 65 and older
- Children under age 2, especially infants
- People with underlying lung diseases like COPD or cystic fibrosis
- People with weakened immune systems from conditions like HIV/AIDS, cancer treatment, or taking immunosuppressant medications
- People with chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, or kidney disease
- Smokers and people who abuse alcohol or drugs
Factors that make pneumonia more likely include being hospitalized or bedridden, living in crowded spaces, recent viral infections like flu or colds, and swallowing liquids or objects into the lungs.
How is pneumonia diagnosed?
If pneumonia is suspected based on symptoms, the doctor will perform exams and tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause. Diagnostic methods may include:
- Medical history and physical exam: The doctor asks about symptoms, medical issues, and risk factors. They listen to the lungs with a stethoscope.
- Chest X-ray: This gives images of the lungs to look for areas of inflammation and fluid.
- Pulse oximetry: A monitor is placed on the finger to measure oxygen saturation in the blood.
- Sputum test: A sample of mucus coughed up from the lungs is taken to identify bacteria or viruses causing infection.
- Blood tests: These check for infection-fighting white blood cell count and potential causes.
- Pleural fluid culture: If excess fluid is around the lungs, it can be extracted and tested for infection.
Based on results, the doctor can confirm if pneumonia is present and determine the cause, such as bacterial, viral, or fungal pneumonia.
What are the main causes of pneumonia?
Pneumonia can be caused by different types of germs, with the most common being:
- Bacteria: Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause. Others include Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae.
- Viruses: Common viral causes are influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), rhinovirus, and coronavirus.
- Fungi: Histoplasma capsulatum, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, and Pneumocystis jirovecii can cause fungal pneumonia, more common in those with weakened immune systems.
Less common causes of pneumonia include mycoplasma pneumonia and aspiration pneumonia, caused by breathing foreign material into the lungs. The cause helps determine pneumonia treatment.
How is pneumonia treated?
Treatment for pneumonia involves clearing the lung infection and preventing complications. This may include:
- Antibiotics: Prescribed for bacterial pneumonia and some fungal types. Common choices are amoxicillin, doxycycline, azithromycin, levofloxacin.
- Antiviral or antifungal medications: Used for viral and fungal pneumonias.
- Cough medicine and fever/pain reducers: Help relieve uncomfortable symptoms.
- Fluids and rest: Drink plenty of fluids and get extra rest to support recovery.
- Oxygen therapy: Supplemental oxygen delivered through a nasal cannula or mask may be needed.
- Hospitalization: For moderate-severe pneumonia cases, hospitalization allows close monitoring and IV medications/fluids.
Most people begin to recover in 3-6 days with proper treatment. However, complete recovery can take a few weeks. Seek emergency care if symptoms significantly or rapidly worsen.
Are there ways to prevent pneumonia?
While not always possible to prevent, some ways to lower pneumonia risk include:
- Get recommended vaccines like pneumonia and yearly flu vaccines.
- Practice good hygiene, like handwashing, to avoid infections.
- Avoid close contact with sick people when possible.
- Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
- Follow doctor’s orders for managing chronic illnesses.
- Eat a healthy diet to support immune system function.
People at high risk should take extra pneumonia precautions. Early treatment of respiratory infections can also prevent progression to pneumonia.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if you or a child has possible pneumonia symptoms. Seek emergency care for:
- Trouble breathing or fast breathing
- Chest pain that worsens with breathing
- Cough with bloody, yellow, or green mucus
- Persistent fever of 102°F (38.9°C) or higher
- Bluish lips or face
- Confusion or alertness changes (in older adults)
- Unrelenting vomiting (in children)
In infants, seek medical care right away if they have fast/labored breathing, blue lips/skin, chest tremors, constant crying, or lack of interest in feeding. Prompt pneumonia treatment can prevent complications and save lives.
Complications from pneumonia
Without treatment, pneumonia complications can sometimes become life-threatening. Potential complications include:
- Bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia): Bacteria enters the bloodstream from the lungs, causing sepsis. This is more common in bacterial pneumonia.
- Lung abscess: A pus-filled cavity forms in the lungs during infection.
- Pleural effusion: Fluid builds up in the pleural space outside the lungs, making breathing difficult.
- Respiratory failure: Oxygen levels fall dangerously low due to severe infection.
- Lung collapse (atelectasis): Lung tissue collapses from large amounts of fluid or pus.
Those with chronic health conditions have a higher risk of complications. Severe pneumonia cases may require intensive care. Consult a doctor right away if pneumonia symptoms do not improve with treatment.
Recovering from pneumonia
Most people with pneumonia start to recover within 3-6 days after starting antibiotic treatment. However, a full recovery can take 2-3 weeks. Some tips for recovering include:
- Completing the full course of medication, even as you feel better.
- Drinking lots of fluids and getting extra rest.
- Avoiding strenuous activity until fully recovered.
- Seeing a doctor for follow-up to ensure the lungs have healed.
- Performing deep breathing exercises to re-expand the lungs.
It may take 1-2 months for fatigue and weakness to fully resolve. Seek prompt medical care if symptoms return or worsen. This may indicate an ongoing infection or complication. With proper rest and care, most people recover fully from pneumonia.
Key takeaways
- Pneumonia is an infection of the lung air sacs that causes cough, fever, chills, and trouble breathing.
- It is diagnosed through exams, x-rays, and lab tests of respiratory secretions.
- Bacterial and viral germs are common pneumonia causes.
- Treatment involves antibiotics, antivirals, oxygen therapy and fluids.
- Preventive steps include vaccination, hygiene, managing illnesses.
- Complications like respiratory failure can occur without treatment.
- With proper medical care, most people recover fully in 2-3 weeks.
Pneumonia facts
Here are some key facts about pneumonia:
| Common symptoms | Cough, fever, chills, difficulty breathing, chest pain |
| High risk groups | Older adults, young children, those with chronic illnesses, smokers |
| Main causes | Bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae, viruses like influenza, fungi |
| Diagnostic methods | Chest x-ray, sputum culture, physical exam |
| Treatments | Antibiotics, antivirals, oxygen therapy, fluids, rest |
| Recovery time | Most improve in 3-6 days, full recovery in 2-3 weeks |
| Complications | Bacteremia, lung abscess, respiratory failure |
| Prevention tips | Vaccination, handwashing, managing illnesses |
Being aware of pneumonia signs, symptoms, and risk factors allows prompt medical care to treat the infection and prevent dangerous complications.
Conclusion
Pneumonia is a serious lung condition that can lead to major health complications if left untreated. Seek medical care right away if pneumonia is suspected based on symptoms of cough, fever, chills, and trouble breathing. Doctors will diagnose and determine the cause of pneumonia using chest x-rays, lab tests, and a medical history. Bacterial and viral pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics, antivirals, fluids, oxygen therapy and rest. With proper treatment, most people recover fully in 2-3 weeks. Vaccination, good hygiene, managing illnesses, and avoiding smoking can help prevent pneumonia. Being alert to pneumonia symptoms and promptly seeking care is key to a good outcome and preventing severe complications.