Hospital

Symptoms of Pneumonia

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

Pneumonia
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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
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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.... Accessed November 10, 2019.
Community-acquired pneumonia in children. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.... Accessed November 10, 2019.
Pneumonia symptoms, causes, and risk factors. American Lung Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 10, 2019.
Signs, symptoms, and complications. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed November 10, 2019.
Last reviewed January 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board David L. Horn, MD, FACP