Pneumonia symptoms

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Upper airway infections like a cold leave your lower airways more vulnerable to viruses and bacteria, and that’s when The illnesses share many similarities, yet they’re very different. To understand each of them better, let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms and treatment with pulmonologist Bronchitis You know what a cold feels like, right? Well, bronchitis is that kicked up a few notches. Bronchitis occurs when air-carrying tubes in your lungs become inflamed, often after a viral infection such as a cold or the flu, says Dr. Tolle. As these airways (called bronchioles) swell, they begin to fill with icky-and-sticky mucus. In response, you cough… and cough… and cough. That frequent hacking often brings up that yellow-green mucus from your lungs. (That off-putting color is a key sign of infection.) Aside from coughing, other symptoms of bronchitis may include: • A • Body aches (plus a sore chest from all that coughing). • Fatigue. • A mild Types of bronchitis There are two basic types of bronchitis — chronic and acute (short-term), explains Dr. Tolle. Chronic bronchitis lasts for at least three months and recurs in multiple years. It can be brought on by an initial respiratory infection, exposure to tobacco smoke or other irritating things in the air around you. Acute bronchitis often starts with a viral...

Viruses are more typically the culprit in children. Causes of viral pneumonia include influenza (the flu virus), rhinovirus (the common cold), and RSV ( In contrast, when kids get bacterial pneumonia, they tend to get sicker faster. If you are concerned about your child's health, check in with your healthcare provider or call 911 if you believe it is an emergency. Vaping has been linked to deaths across the country and is associated with lipoid pneumonia. Vaping may also irritate the lungs through the inhalation of chemicals found in many vaping products. Chemical pneumonia can develop after inhaling chemicals that cause your lungs to become inflamed. Lipoid pneumonia is caused when lipids (essentially fatty acids) enter the lungs, causing them to become inflamed. If the infection is compromising your lung function, you may not be able to deliver enough oxygen to your blood. Some people require supplemental oxygen or treatments to help them breathe with pneumonia. In severe cases, Dr. Glatt said a tube might be inserted into the airway to help the person breathe. And while you should watch out for the symptoms listed above in children, there are several less-specific symptoms to learn about. These additional symptoms include poor feeding in infants who may then become dehydrated, for example. Children may have a loss of appetite. And kids won't be full of energy. Pneumonia in kids can also lead to abdominal pain or vomiting.

Yes, certain types of pneumonia are contagious. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Some of these germs are transmitted from person to person. However, not everyone will develop pneumonia when exposed to the same germs. It’s also possible to have pneumonia that can’t be transmitted to other people. What types of pneumonia are contagious? • • Streptococcal pneumonia • pneumonia caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae • pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) There are many Other viruses that attack the respiratory system can be contagious as well. Fungal pneumonia and Fungal pneumonia is caused by inhaled fungi from your environment. It’s not spread from person to person. The fungi that cause this type of pneumonia are usually found in soil. Aspiration pneumonia isn’t contagious because it’s caused by inhaling food or liquid into your lungs. This can happen in people who’ve had a Bacterial and viral pneumonia are the most common types of pneumonia. They’re both contagious. However, you can reduce your risk of developing these pneumonias by getting vaccinated and If you do develop pneumonia, effective treatments are available. A doctor will prescribe Viral pneumonia is contagious until you’re feeling better and have been free of fever for several days. Although antiviral medications are available, viral pneumonia may get better on its own or after a few weeks of Last medically reviewed on November 29, 2021 Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies ...

Overview Aspiration pneumonia is caused by breathing in something that results in infection, swollen bronchioles and fluid-filled air spaces that make breathing difficult. What is aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration pneumonia is There’s also a condition called aspiration pneumonitis which is caused by the same type of thing happening but there is only inflammation (swelling) and irritation, not infection. It’s difficult to tell the two conditions apart. Other names for aspiration pneumonia include anaerobic pneumonia, necrotizing pneumonia and aspiration of vomitus. What is the difference between pneumonia and pneumonitis? Pneumonitis is a term that refers to inflammation (swelling) of the lungs. Pneumonia is actually a specific type of pneumonitis. In pneumonia, there is the additional factor of infection. The two conditions have similar symptoms and are often difficult to tell apart. How common is aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration of food or drink is a relatively common thing. You’ve probably heard someone say that food "went down the wrong pipe,” meaning that food or drink went toward your lungs instead of your stomach. When this happens, you probably coughed until you felt better. When the same sort of thing happens to someone who isn’t able to cough the food or drink out of their lungs, aspiration pneumonia may result. Who is most likely to get aspiration pneumonia? Aspiration pneumonia is more common among people who: • Have had general • Have trouble coughing or trouble...

When taking antibiotics, take all the prescribed doses to prevent developing a drug-resistant infection. Talk with your healthcare provider if you want to or need to stop taking your medication. Oxygen Therapy Pneumonia can cause inflammation and increased lung mucus, making it hard for oxygen to enter the blood. If your oxygen levels are low, you may be provided Be sure to follow instructions for cleaning and disinfecting humidifiers, which can be a source of bacteria, mold, and fungi that may cause additional respiratory infections. OTC Medications Over-the-counter (OTC) medications may help with some mild pneumonia symptoms. Check with your medical provider before using any cough medications. Coughing is an important way for the body to clear out the germs causing pneumonia and the mucus that develops. • Respiratory failure: When your lungs cannot move oxygen in and carbon dioxide out • Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS): A severe form of respiratory failure • Lung abscess: Pus-filled cavity in the lungs caused by an infection • Sepsis: Potentially life-threatening infection that moves through the bloodstream Summary Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that ranges from mild to severe. Older people may have more significant illnesses and longer-lasting effects than younger people. Treatments for pneumonia are often effective and can include medications, oxygen therapy, fluids, and rest. See your healthcare provider right away if you have pneumonia symptoms. A Wo...

Overview What is walking pneumonia? Walking pneumonia is a mild form of “Walking pneumonia” is the common term for atypical pneumonia. How is walking pneumonia different from “regular” pneumonia? The main differences between walking pneumonia and “regular” pneumonia are that walking pneumonia is milder and it usually doesn’t require bed rest or hospitalization. Who does walking pneumonia affect? Anyone can get walking pneumonia. You’re more likely to get walking pneumonia if you: • Are 2 or younger. • Are 65 or older. • Have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) or take • Have • Have • Have • Live or work in crowded places, such as schools, dormitories, nursing homes or military barracks. • Use tobacco products. • Regularly use inhaled How common is walking pneumonia? Walking pneumonia is common. The number of cases fluctuates, usually spiking every three to seven years. Walking pneumonia can occur at any time of the year. However, it occurs most often during the fall and winter. Symptoms and Causes What are the first signs of walking pneumonia? Walking pneumonia symptoms include: • • • • Low-grade • Mild • • Sneezing. • What does walking pneumonia feel like? Walking pneumonia may feel like you have a bad cold or the flu. What causes walking pneumonia? Walking pneumonia causes may include: • Bacteria. • Viruses. • Molds (fungi). Is walking pneumonia contagious? Yes, walking pneumonia is very contagious. When someone who has walking pneumonia coughs, sneezes, talks, ...

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. To destroy the attacking organisms, white blood cells rapidly accumulate. Along with bacteria and fungi, they fill the air sacs within your lungs (alveoli). Breathing may be labored. A classic sign of bacterial pneumonia is a cough that produces thick, blood-tinged or yellowish-greenish sputum with pus. Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs may fill with fluid or pus (purulent material), causing cough with phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. A variety of organisms, including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Symptoms The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe, depending on factors such as the type of germ causing the infection, and your age and overall health. Mild signs and symptoms often are similar to those of a cold or flu, but they last longer. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: • Chest pain when you breathe or cough • Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older) • Cough, which may produce phlegm • Fatigue • Fever, sweating and shaking chills • Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems) • Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea • Shortness of breath Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fe...