Health A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Pneumonia

The swelling (inflammation) of lung tissue in one or both lungs is known as pneumonia. The air sacs may swell with fluid or pus (purulent material), which can lead to a cough that produces pus or phlegm, a fever, chills, and breathing difficulties. Several organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can bring on pneumonia. 

Symptoms

Pneumonia symptoms range from mild to severe, depending on your age and general health, as well as the type of germ infecting you. Mild symptoms and signs frequently resemble the common cold or flu, but they last longer.

Common signs of pneumonia include:

  • Cough – dry or produce a thick yellow, green, brown, or blood-stained mucus
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • High temperature
  • Feeling generally unwell
  • Sweating and shivering
  • Loss of appetite
  • Chest pain

Less common symptoms include the following:

  • Coughing up blood
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling sick or being sick
  • Wheezing
  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Feeling confused and disorientated
Pneumonia

Causes

The common cause of pneumonia is a bacterial infection. 

Other types of pneumonia, besides bacterial pneumonia, include:

  • Viral pneumonia – brought on by a virus, such as a coronavirus
  • Aspiration pneumonia – by breathing in vomit, a foreign object, like a peanut, or a harmful substance, like smoke or a chemical
  • Fungal pneumonia – affect people with a weakened immune system
  • Acquired pneumonia – pneumonia that occurs in a hospital while a patient is receiving treatment for another illness or undergoing surgery; patients in intensive care using breathing apparatuses are especially vulnerable to developing ventilator-associated pneumonia 

Treatments

Typically, home remedies for mild pneumonia include:

  • Getting lots of sleep
  • Taking antibiotics if it appears that a bacterial infection brought on the pneumonia
  • Being well-hydrated 

Pneumonia can be severe in at-risk groups and may require hospital treatment because, depending on a person’s health and age, it may result in serious complications that, in some cases, may be fatal. 

Prevention

You should follow a balanced lifestyle:

  • Covering mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Throwing away used tissues immediately
  • Maintaining personal hygiene, like washing your hands frequently

A healthy lifestyle helps prevent pneumonia by stopping smoking and lessening excessive and prolonged alcohol misuse.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD
Page last reviewed: 04 October 2022