Signs & Symptoms of Pneumonia

If you have pneumonia, then you have a potentially serious inflammatory condition affecting your lungs. This can be caused by an infection that leads to the air sacs becoming filled with pus and liquid. As this occurs within the air sacs, the level of oxygen in your blood drops. As the cells in the body do not receive enough oxygen from the blood, they can no longer function normally. If pneumonia is not treated in time, it can be fatal. There are two forms this disease can take: Lobar pneumonia, in which only a section of the lung is affected, and bronchial pneumonia, which involves smaller areas in both lungs. Because treatment is essential right away, look for the signs and symptoms so you can learn to recognize this disease.

Signs of Pneumonia Caused by a Bacterial Infection

• If exposure to bacteria is the cause of your pneumonia, you might feel cold, experience chills and shaking, and your teeth might chatter. Some patients also have severe chest pain that can be sharp and becomes worse when trying to take a deep breath. There is often a chronic cough producing mucus that is rust or green in color, and it might contain blood. You might also have a temperature that can climb as high as 105 degrees. You might sweat, and have a rapid pulse and rate of breathing. You might feel confused or not alert. If you have a significant oxygen deficiency, your lips and nail beds might develop a bluish color.

Symptoms of Viral Pneumonia

• In cases where a virus was the cause of your pneumonia, you might experience symptoms such as fever, a dry cough, and all-over muscle aches and weakness. You might find you get out of breath very quickly and have headaches. Your cough might produce a small amount of mucus. You might find you continue to feel fatigued and have more difficulty catching your breath. Sometimes the color of the skin can become purple because of the lack of adequate oxygen.

Mycoplasma Pneumonia Signs

• This type of pneumonia is caused by a foreign agent that has bacterial and viral properties. It causes a more mild form of this disease and is rarely life threatening. The most common sign of mycoplasma pneumonia is the presence of a violent cough that only results in a small amount of whitish-colored mucus. You might feel chilled and have a mild fever as well as nausea and vomiting. If this condition is prolonged, you might also find you feel very weak and tired.

Complications

• Pneumonia is more difficult to treat if you are living with heart failure or have lung disease. In some cases, the bacteria can enter your bloodstream and spread to other organs. In rare cases, an abscess can form in the lungs because of too much fluid accumulation. Pneumonia can develop into other diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and typhus. There is also a form called tuberculosis pneumonia, which is extremely serious and life threatening if not treated early.

Prevention/Solution

• Your best bet is to see your doctor at the first sign of any of the above signs or symptoms. The earlier this disease is treated, the better the outcome. Pneumonia can often be treated successfully with antibiotics. A healthy diet, oxygen therapy and other medications can be used to help your body heal and control the symptoms. Getting adequate rest and taking all of the medication prescribed for as long as the doctor prescribes it will help you to manage this condition and prevent a relapse.