What does fever feel like with pneumonia?

With pneumonia, fever often appears with cough, phlegm, chest discomfort, faster breathing or breathlessness. Some people feel cold and shaky before becoming hot, while others mainly notice exhaustion and aching. A normal-feeling skin temperature does not rule out illness, particularly in older adults or people with a weakened immune system. Fever does not show which germ is responsible or how serious the lung infection is.

Rest, sip fluids and monitor your breathing, alertness and temperature. Sit upright if that makes breathing easier, and avoid smoking or strenuous activity. Arrange a clinical assessment when fever is accompanied by a new cough, chest pain or shortness of breath; pneumonia may need examination and treatment. Use only fever medicine that is appropriate for you and follow the package directions.

Get urgent help for severe difficulty breathing, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, severe chest pain, inability to keep fluids down or rapidly worsening weakness. Prompt assessment is also needed if an older person becomes unusually sleepy or confused with a suspected infection. Do not wait for a fever to become higher if breathing or awareness is changing.

Ask whether your breathing and chest symptoms require same-day assessment, what monitoring is needed at home, and how to take any prescribed treatment. Share when the fever and cough started, measured readings, sputum changes, medical conditions and medicines.