Pneumonia is like one of those scary diseases you hear about but dont really know much about it till someone close gets sick. It’s an infection in the lungs and can be caused by bacteria, virus or sometimes fungi. This infection makes it hard for you to breath properly because your lungs fill up with fluid or pus. Sounds bad? Yeah it is.
So in this article, I’ll try to tell you the most common symptoms of pneumonia in simple words so you can spot it early before it gets serious.
What Is Pneumonia?
Basically pneumonia is when your lungs get infected and inflamed. The tiny air sacs inside lungs called alveoli get filled with fluid or mucus and that stops oxygen from reaching your blood properly.
This means your body’s not getting enough oxygen and you’ll start feeling very sick and weak.
Why Pneumonia Can Be Serious?
If you’re young and healthy maybe it won’t be too bad, but in old people, kids, or anyone with weak immunity, pneumonia can get very dangerous.
Untreated pneumonia can lead to things like respiratory failure or even spread infection in your blood (sepsis) which is life threatening.
How Pneumonia Symptoms Usually Start?
Symptoms can start slow like you have a cold or flu and then get worse day by day. Or sometimes they come on very quickly and you feel very sick all of a sudden.
Here’s the common symptoms you should watch out for:
1. Cough With Phlegm
Almost all people with pneumonia will have cough. At first it might be dry cough but after sometime it usually becomes cough with mucus or phlegm.
Phlegm can be yellow, green or even bloody sometimes which is bad sign. If you see blood in phlegm go see doctor immediately.
2. Fever and Chills
You will have fever and sometimes really high fever like above 102°F (or 39°C). Along with that chills or shivering is common even when the room is warm.
This happens because your body is fighting infection.
3. Difficulty Breathing
Breathing becomes hard because lungs are infected and not working well. You might feel like you cant take a full breath or get out of breath easily.
Even talking or walking short distances can feel difficult.
4. Chest Pain
Many people get sharp or stabbing pain on their chest especially when they cough or take deep breaths.
Pain usually happens on one side of chest but can be both sides too.
5. Feeling Very Weak and Tired
Feeling tired is very common in pneumonia. You might feel weak even after resting. Simple tasks like getting out of bed becomes tough.
6. Sweating and Cold, Clammy Skin
You might sweat a lot and your skin can feel cold and sticky. This is body’s response to fever and infection.
7. Confusion in Older People
In elderly people pneumonia sometimes causes confusion or difficulty waking up. Family members may notice person is very sleepy or “not themselves”.
This can be sign of serious infection and need immediate medical help.
8. Blue Lips or Fingertips (Cyanosis)
If pneumonia is severe and lungs cannot provide enough oxygen, skin or lips might turn bluish. This is emergency, call doctor right away.
9. Loss of Appetite and Nausea
You may not feel like eating anything and sometimes nausea or vomiting can happen.
10. Fast Heartbeat
Because oxygen is low, heart works harder and beats faster even when resting.
When Should You See A Doctor?
If you have cough and fever more than 3-4 days or if symptoms get worse quickly, see doctor.
Also if you experience:
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Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
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High fever that won’t go down with medicine
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Chest pain worsening
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Confusion or drowsiness
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Coughing blood
Don’t wait or try home remedies only, get proper checkup.
Pneumonia in Kids
Pneumonia can be different in kids, symptoms sometimes hard to tell.
Look for:
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Fast or difficulty breathing
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Grunting or wheezing sound
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Fever and cough
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Vomiting or diarrhea sometimes
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Very tired or fussy
Parents should get doctor if breathing is fast or noisy.
How Pneumonia Is Diagnosed?
Doctor will listen lungs with stethoscope for crackling or wheezing. They might also do chest X-ray to see infection.
Blood tests or sputum test might be done to find exact cause.
Treatment for Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia needs antibiotics, viral pneumonia mostly rest and fluids.
You can also do at home:
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Rest well
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Drink lots of water
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Use humidifier if possible
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Take fever meds like paracetamol
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Avoid smoking or smoky places
How to Prevent Pneumonia?
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Wash hands often
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Get vaccinated for flu and pneumonia (especially elders)
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Don’t smoke
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Eat healthy, exercise and keep immune system strong
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Avoid close contact with sick people
Final Words
Pneumonia can be very dangerous if ignored but with early treatment people mostly recover well.
If you have cough, fever and difficulty breathing don’t wait. See doctor and get proper treatment.
Listen to your body and take care. Don’t underestimate these symptoms thinking it’s just cold or flu.