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Pneumonia

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of pneumonia.

Symptoms

General Symptoms. The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia develop abruptly and typically include:

• A single episode of shaking chills followed by fever
• Chest pain on the side of lung infection -- severe abdominal pain sometimes occurs in people with pneumonia in the lower lobes of the lung
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing and heart beat
• Cough -- may be dry initially but it eventually produces more fluid (sputum)
• Nausea, vomiting, and muscle aches

Emergency Symptoms. Symptoms of pneumonia indicating a medical emergency include the following:

• High fever
• A rapid heart rate
• Bluish-toned (cyanotic) skin
• Labored and heavy breathing.
• Mental confusion
• Coughing up mucus (sputum) containing pus or blood

Symptoms in the Elderly. It is important to note that older people may have fewer or different symptoms than younger people. Symptoms may come on much more slowly. An elderly person who experiences even a minor cough and weakness for more than a day should seek medical help. Some elderly people may exhibit confusion, lethargy, and general deterioration.

Symptoms of Pneumonia Caused by Anaerobic Bacteria

Pneumonia caused by anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides can produce dangerous abscesses in the lungs. People with such pneumonias may have prolonged fever and a productive cough. There is frequently blood in the mucus that is coughed up. Blood may indicate dead lung tissue. About a third of these patients experience weight loss.

Symptoms of Atypical Pneumonia

General Symptoms for Atypical Pneumonias. Atypical pneumonia is most commonly caused by Mycoplasma and usually appears in children and young adults.

The disease progresses gradually.

• General flu-like symptoms often occur first. They may include fatigue, fever, weakness, headache, nasal discharge, sore throat, earache, and stomach and intestinal distress.
• Vague pain under and around the breastbone may occur, but the severe chest pain associated with typical bacterial pneumonia is uncommon.
• Patients may have a severe hacking cough, but it usually does not produce sputum.

Symptoms of Legionnaires' Disease. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease usually occur more rapidly and include high fever, a dry cough, and shortness of breath. These symptoms are often accompanied by headache, muscle pains, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and mental confusion.

• Review Date: 3/28/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

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