Symptoms of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, caused by the inhalation of one or many infected microorganisms or germs. It is a highly contagious disease and can spread through contact with an infected person. There are different types of pneumonia depending upon the type of microorganisms, which infect the lungs. Pneumonia symptoms also vary from person to person. Pneumonia symptoms depend on how much of your lung is affected and the type of infection that you have. It also depends on the age of a person.
Pneumonia symptoms that depend on age of a person
Pneumonia symptoms can also vary with the age. For eg: An adult can have different pneumonia symptoms from those that a child has.
Pneumonia symptoms in children
- Runny nose
- Mild cough that can worsen with time
- Fever
- Pain in the chest
- Vomiting
- Crackles
- Pain in abdomen
- Increased respiratory rate
Pneumonia symptoms in adults
Adults or elderly may experience very few pneumonia symptoms like:
- Cough with no mucus
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Confusion
Pneumonia symptoms that depend on type of microorganism
Viral pneumonia symptoms
Viral pneumonia is caused due to the infection by virus. It is less serious as compared to others and usually requires no medical treatment. Viral pneumonia can affect both children and adults. Some of the viral pneumonia symptoms include:
- Mild fever
- Dry cough
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chest pain
- Difficulty in Breathing
- Inflammation of neck
- Mucus productive cough
Bacterial pneumonia symptoms
Bacterial pneumonia is caused by infection with bacteria. It can be severe and requires a medical treatment. Bacterial pneumonia generally affects adults. The symptoms are intense compared to viral pneumonia symptoms and they include:
- Moderate to high fever
- Persistent cough
- Mucus-productive cough
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Chills
- Shaking
- Shallow breathing
- Shortness of breath
- Racing pulse
- Fatigue
- Sweating
Mycoplasma pneumonia symptoms
Mycoplasma pneumonia is caused by mycoplasmas, the small organisms that look like viruses or bacteria called mycoplasmas. Mycplasma pneumonia is not serious and requires no medical treatment. It generally affects small children and elderly people. The symptoms are mild and they include:
- Dry cough
- Moderate fever
- Nausea
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Breathlessness
- Decreased heartbeat
- Chills
Non-bacterial pneumonia symptoms
Non-bacterial pneumonia is not caused by bacteria and is less severe as compared to bacterial pneumonia. The symptoms are mild and many people even don't know that they have nonbacterial pneumonia. The symptoms of non-bacterial pneumonia include:
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
- Cough with very little mucus.
The person with pneumonia may also experience some other symptoms, regardless of the type of pneumonia. They may include:
- Nasal flaring
- Moist skin
- Fatigue
- Muscle stiffness
- Illness
- Pain in abdomen
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Loss of appetite
