Pneumonia symptoms

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by infection from bacteria, fungi, or viruses. It usually affects persons with chronic illness or impaired immune system. It’s one of the major causes of death since it ranges from mild to life threatening cases. It usually develops with chest pain, chills, fever, cough and shortness of breath.

It is caused by microorganisms acquired in the community, hospital, aspiration (foreign matters inhaled), opportunistic organisms, and emerging pathogens. It can usually be treated at home for a run of two to three weeks, but for serious cases, hospital care is needed.

Indications and signs of pneumonia can vary depending on the type of organism that caused the infection. Usually, it appears to be a cold or flu with cough and fever, and with chest pains. Here are the common symptoms depending on the organism:

A. Caused by bacteria

• Cough, which is accompanied by mucus or sputum
• Fever
• Shaking and chills
• Rapid and shallow breathing, and the sensation of shortness of breath
• Aching in chest wall that gets worse with cough and breathing
• Fast heartbeat, fatigue and malaise
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

B. Caused by non-bacterial organisms

• Fever and cough
• Shortness in breathing
• Coughing accompanied with small mucus

Signs and symptoms also vary depending on the age of the person affected. Older people have milder symptoms that include no fever and coughing with no mucus. A major sign for them would be delirium. For children inflicted with the disease, symptoms are usually the same for adults plus the breathing rate of over 60 breaths per minute. For infants, it includes lethargy (no energy), feeding poorly, grunting and fever.

When you experience unexplained fever and persistent coughs, do not hesitate to consult your doctor for signs of pneumonia before it can threaten your life.