What should you know about community-acquired pneumonia?

Pneumonia inflames the air sacs and surrounding tissue in the lungs, which can make breathing less efficient. Bacteria, viruses and other germs can cause it. A cough, fever, chills, tiredness, chest discomfort or coughing up phlegm may occur, although symptoms vary. COVID-19 and influenza can also affect the lungs, so a clinician may consider them when assessing an illness. The diagnosis may involve your symptoms, breathing examination and tests such as a chest image or oxygen measurement.

Arrange a medical assessment if pneumonia is suspected, particularly when fever, worsening cough or breathlessness is present. Take prescribed treatment exactly as directed and complete an antibiotic course if one is prescribed. Rest, drink fluids if you can do so safely, avoid smoking and keep track of breathing, fever and alertness. Do not share antibiotics or use leftover medicine. Follow-up is useful if symptoms are not improving or return after initial improvement.

Seek emergency help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, inability to stay awake or severe chest pain. Urgent assessment is also needed when breathing becomes noticeably worse, fluids cannot be kept down, or a person with pneumonia becomes unusually weak. These signs can indicate a serious complication, including sepsis, and should not be managed at home.

Ask which cause is suspected, whether you need chest imaging or oxygen testing, how to take each medicine, what improvement should look like, and when follow-up is needed. Ask how to protect household members if a viral infection is possible.