Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus. This leads to difficulty in breathing and a range of symptoms that can vary depending on the cause and severity of the infection. The symptoms of pneumonia are often more intense than those of a common cold or flu because pneumonia affects the lungs more deeply.
The most common symptoms of pneumonia include:
– **Cough**: This is usually persistent and may produce mucus that is green, yellow, or even bloody. The cough can start dry but often becomes productive as the infection progresses.
– **Fever**: A high fever is typical, often accompanied by chills and sweating. The fever can be sudden and intense or develop gradually.
– **Shortness of breath**: Because the air sacs in the lungs are inflamed and filled with fluid, breathing becomes difficult. You may feel like you can’t get enough air, especially during physical activity or even at rest in severe cases.
– **Chest pain**: This pain is often sharp or stabbing and worsens with deep breaths or coughing. It results from inflammation of the lung lining.
– **Fatigue and weakness**: Feeling unusually tired or weak is common, as the body uses energy to fight the infection.
– **Rapid breathing and heartbeat**: Pneumonia can cause your breathing and heart rate to speed up as your body tries to get enough oxygen.
– **Sweating and clammy skin**: Along with fever, you might experience excessive sweating and feel cold or clammy.
– **Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting**: These symptoms can occur, especially in children and older adults.
– **Confusion or changes in mental awareness**: This is more common in older adults and can be a sign of severe pneumonia.
Some people may also experience a headache, sore throat, or muscle pain. In cases caused by specific bacteria like *Chlamydia pneumoniae*, symptoms might develop slowly over several weeks and include hoarseness, a weak voice, or a runny or stuffy nose.
The symptoms can differ depending on whether the pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Bacterial pneumonia often comes on suddenly with high fever and a productive cough, while viral pneumonia may start more gradually with symptoms like a dry cough, mild fever, and fatigue. Fungal pneumonia is less common and usually affects people with weakened immune systems, presenting with symptoms similar to bacterial or viral pneumonia but sometimes more prolonged.
In children, pneumonia symptoms might include rapid breathing, grunting, wheezing, or pulling in the chest muscles with each breath. They may also have difficulty feeding or show signs of dehydration.
Because pneumonia affects the lungs’ ability to exchange oxygen, severe cases can lead to low oxygen levels in the blood, causing bluish lips or fingertips, and require urgent medical attention.
Overall, pneumonia symptoms range from mild to severe and can develop quickly or over several days. If you or someone else experiences symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent high fever, or confusion, it is important to seek medical care promptly.
