Pneumonia is a serious infection that should be treated promptly. Contact your doctor if you have pneumonia symptoms or if your child has pneumonia symptoms.
Effects of Pneumonia on the Lungs |
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The symptoms of pneumonia include the following:
- Fever or below-normal temperature
- Chills
- Sweating
- Rapid breathing
- Cough, may be dry or may produce sputum
- Increased sputum
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Shortness of breath
- Pain through to the back
- Pain with deep breathing
- Rattle sound in the chest
- Loss of energy, fatigue
- Weakness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- General muscle aches and pains
- Lack of appetite
Severe symptoms that may occur in adults, especially the elderly, include:
- Bluish color of the nails or lips due to diminished oxygen in the blood
- Mental confusion
Severe symptoms that may occur in babies and young children:
- Flaring nostrils with each breath
- Chest or ribs may suck in with each breath
- Grunting sound with breathing
References
Beovic B, Bonac B, Kese D, et al. Aetiology and clinical presentation of mild community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2003;22(10):584-591.
Community-acquired pneumonia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115170/Community-acquired-pneumonia-in-adults . Accessed November 10, 2019.
Community-acquired pneumonia in children. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113670/Community-acquired-pneumonia-in-children . Accessed November 10, 2019.
Pneumonia symptoms, causes, and risk factors. American Lung Association website. Available at: http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-causes-and-risk.html. Accessed November 10, 2019.
Signs, symptoms, and complications. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pnu/signs. Accessed November 10, 2019.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board David L. Horn, MD, FACP
- Review Date: 01/2020
- Update Date: 01/21/2020