Symptoms of Pneumonia

by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD

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

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.... 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
Last Updated:1/21/2020

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