What should you know about covid pneumonia?

Pneumonia develops when infection and inflammation affect the small air sacs where oxygen passes into the blood. COVID-19 can cause this lung involvement. Cough, fever, chills, tiredness, and breathlessness may occur, but symptoms vary. Influenza and other infections can also cause pneumonia, so a symptom pattern alone cannot identify the cause.

A clinician may check your breathing, oxygen level, temperature, general appearance, and medical history. Further tests or imaging may be needed. Coughing Up Phlegm can happen, but the colour or amount of phlegm does not by itself establish whether the infection is viral or bacterial.

Follow the isolation and testing advice given for COVID-19, rest, drink fluids if you can, and take only medicines suitable for you. Keep a note of worsening breathlessness, chest discomfort, confusion, or difficulty staying awake. If you have an oximeter, discuss how to interpret readings with a clinician rather than relying on one number in isolation.

Contact a healthcare professional early if you are pregnant, older, immunocompromised, or have a long-term heart or lung condition. Assessment can decide whether you need monitoring, specific COVID-19 treatment, or treatment for another cause. Do not start antibiotics without medical advice.

Get emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, severe chest pain, or inability to wake or stay awake. Seek urgent assessment if breathing is getting harder, fever persists with marked weakness, or you cannot keep fluids down. Sepsis is another serious possibility when infection is accompanied by rapidly worsening illness, extreme drowsiness, or cold, clammy skin.

Ask whether your symptoms suggest COVID-19 pneumonia, another Pneumonia pattern, or Influenza; whether your breathing needs monitoring; and which treatments are suitable with your existing medicines. Ask what changes should trigger an emergency call and when follow-up should happen.