Pneumonia is an infection that inflames your lungs' air sacs alveoli. The air sacs may fill up with fluid or pus, causing symptoms such as a cough, fever, chills and trouble breathing. Pneumonia symptoms can vary from so mild you barely notice them, to so severe that hospitalization is required. How your body responds to pneumonia depends on the type germ causing the infection, your age and your overall health. Bacterial pneumonia, which is the most common form, tends to be more serious than other types of pneumonia , with symptoms that require medical care.
The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop gradually or suddenly. Fever may rise as high as a dangerous degrees F, with profuse sweating and rapidly increased breathing and pulse rate. Lips and nailbeds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood.
A patient's mental state may be confused or delirious. The symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over a period of several days. Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms : fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness.
Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. There may be a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips. Symptoms may vary in certain populations. Newborns and infants may not show any signs of the infection. Or, they may vomit, have a fever and cough, or appear restless, sick, or tired and without energy.
Older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have fewer and milder symptoms. They may even have a lower than normal temperature. Older adults who have pneumonia sometimes have sudden changes in mental awareness. For individuals that already have a chronic lung disease, those symptoms may worsen.
If you think you or your child has symptoms of pneumonia, don't wait for the disease to get even worse before you seek care. Call your doctor. And see your doctor right away if you have difficulty breathing, develop a bluish color in your lips and fingertips, have chest pain, a high fever, or a cough with mucus that is severe or is getting worse.
It's especially important to get medical attention for pneumonia if you are in a high-risk group, including adults older than age 65, children age two or younger, people with an underlying health condition or weakened immune system. Even with treatment, some people with pneumonia, especially those in high-risk groups, may experience complications, including:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.
Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Pneumonia and your lungs Open pop-up dialog box Close. Pneumonia and your lungs Most pneumonia occurs when a breakdown in your body's natural defenses allows germs to invade and multiply within your lungs. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Show references Pneumonia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed April 15, Community-acquired pneumonia adult. Rochester, Minn. Goldman L, et al. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed April 18, Schauner S, et al. Journal of Family Practice. Attridge RT, et al. Health care-associated pneumonia: An evidence-based review.
American Journal of Medicine. Hunter JD. Ventilator associated pneumonia. Dockrell DH, et al. Pneumococcal pneumonia: Mechanisms of infection and resolution. Reynolds RH, et al. This is because it can lead to serious complications, which in some cases can be fatal, depending on a person's health and age.
Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes. You'll be admitted to hospital for treatment if you develop one of these complications.
Although most cases of pneumonia are bacterial and are not passed on from one person to another, ensuring good standards of hygiene will help prevent germs spreading. A healthy lifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia. For example, you should stop smoking as it damages your lungs and increases the chance of infection.
Excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse also weakens your lungs' natural defences against infections, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia. People at high risk of pneumonia should be offered the pneumococcal vaccine and flu vaccine.
Page last reviewed: 30 June Next review due: 30 June Overview - Pneumonia Contents Overview Treatment.
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