Cold air and pneumonia: what should you know?

Pneumonia is inflammation and infection in the lung tissue. Cold weather may make airways feel irritated and people may spend more time close to others indoors, where infections spread, but the temperature alone is not pneumonia. Viral illnesses such as influenza or COVID-19 can involve the lungs, and other germs can also cause pneumonia. A cough, fever, chills, chest discomfort, tiredness, or coughing up phlegm may occur, but symptoms vary and cannot confirm the diagnosis without an assessment.

Rest, drink fluids if you can, avoid smoking, and keep warm without overheating. Monitor breathing, alertness, and the ability to drink. Arrange medical advice if a cough or fever is worsening, lasts beyond the expected course of a minor illness, or is accompanied by chest pain or breathlessness. A clinician may listen to the lungs and decide whether further tests or treatment are needed. Do not use leftover antibiotics, because treatment depends on the suspected cause.

Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, or rapidly worsening weakness. Emergency assessment is also needed when a person is difficult to wake or has signs of sepsis, such as feeling profoundly unwell with fast breathing or marked drowsiness. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with long-term heart or lung conditions may need earlier advice when respiratory symptoms develop.

Ask whether your symptoms fit pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, or another respiratory illness; whether your lungs need examination or testing; and which changes should prompt emergency care. Mention the start of the illness, fever or chills, phlegm, chest pain, breathing at rest, and any medical conditions.