Chest pain and difficulty breathing are all pneumonia symptoms, a common lung infection that can cause coughing and chest pain. It has the potential to be lethal. In the United States, over 50,000 people die from pneumonia each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (CDC).
12 Warning Signs Of Pneumonia
Pneumonia symptoms can range from minor to severe, depending on what is causing the infection and how healthy you are in general.
When bacteria are the culprit, the sickness might manifest slowly or rapidly. It is typically more serious than the other types.
When a virus causes pneumonia, symptoms may manifest over several days.
Common pneumonia symptoms may include:
- High fever that may reach up to 105 F
- Coughing up mucus with greenish, or yellowish color, or bloody
- Chills
- Loss of breath, especially when you move too much
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Sharp or stabbing chest pain that is more felt when coughing and taking a deep breath
- Excessive sweating
- Fast breathing and heartbeat
- Lips and fingernails turning blue
- Confusion, especially in adults
For children, common symptoms of pneumonia are:
- Fast breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Skin, lips, and fingernails turning blue
What Causes Pneumonia?
Several factors, including a virus, bacteria, or fungus may cause pneumonia. Also environmental variables, such as the inhalation of various chemicals and environmental contaminants, can cause it as well.
The most common culprits, however, are viruses or bacteria.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can affect one or both of your lungs. It causes the air sacs in your lungs – known as alveoli – to fill with fluid or pus.
Pneumonia does not necessarily result in death but severe cases can, especially if left untreated.
Early diagnosis and treatment are critical in minimizing the negative effects of this lung infection in most people. The sooner pneumonia symptoms are recognized and treated, the sooner you can start to recover and feel better.
