What should you know about common cause of pneumonia?

Pneumonia can follow an infection in the nose or throat that reaches the lungs. Bacteria may cause pneumonia on their own, while viruses such as influenza or COVID-19 can injure the airways and lung tissue. Pneumonia may cause cough, fever, chills, breathlessness, chest discomfort or coughing up phlegm. The type and severity of symptoms vary, and a cough does not by itself prove pneumonia.

A clinician may listen to your chest, measure oxygen levels and arrange a chest scan or other tests when needed. The findings help separate pneumonia from other causes of cough and guide treatment.

Arrange medical advice for a new cough with fever, breathing difficulty, chest pain or increasing weakness. Rest, drink fluids if you can, and take only medicines suitable for you. Antibiotics help some bacterial infections but do not treat viral pneumonia; a clinician decides whether they are appropriate. Follow the prescribed course and seek review if symptoms are worsening or not settling.

Seek emergency care for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down or rapidly worsening weakness. Pneumonia can sometimes lead to sepsis, a dangerous response to infection. Older adults, babies and people with heart, lung or immune conditions may need prompt assessment even when symptoms seem modest.

Ask whether your symptoms fit pneumonia, whether testing is needed, if the likely cause is bacterial or viral, which treatments are suitable, and what changes should prompt an urgent review.