What should you know about the most common pneumonia?

Pneumonia causes inflammation in the tiny air sacs where oxygen passes into the blood. Fluid and inflammatory material can make breathing harder and may cause cough, fever, chills, tiredness, chest discomfort, or coughing up phlegm. COVID-19 and Influenza can sometimes lead to pneumonia, but similar symptoms can have other causes. A clinician may listen to your chest and decide whether tests or a chest image are needed.

Arrange medical advice when pneumonia is suspected, especially for a young child, older adult, pregnant person, or anyone with lung, heart, or immune problems. Rest, drink fluids if you can, and use only suitable fever or pain medicine as directed. Take prescribed treatment exactly as advised and do not stop early without checking. Avoid smoking and reduce close contact while fever or heavy coughing continues.

Seek emergency help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, severe chest pain, or difficulty staying awake. Urgent assessment is needed if breathing is getting worse, fever is persistent, you cannot keep fluids down, or you become markedly weak. Pneumonia can occasionally trigger Sepsis, so rapidly worsening illness with clammy skin, confusion, or very fast breathing should not wait.

What is the likely cause of my pneumonia? Do I need a chest image or other test? Which medicines are appropriate with my current conditions? What changes in breathing or fever mean I should return urgently?