Loading icon
Health Information Center

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition InDepth

Symptoms of Pneumonia
Effects of Pneumonia on the Lungs.

Copyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Pneumoniahttp://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=28642864exh5702.jpgPneumoniaNULLjpgPneumoniaNULL\\filer01\Intellect\images\exh5702.jpgCopyright © 2002 Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.18NULL2002-10-012865182864_20038Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

The symptoms of pneumonia include:

  • Fever or below-normal temperature
  • Chills
  • Sweating
  • Rapid breathing
  • Cough—may be dry or may produce sputum
  • Increased sputum
  • Chest or belly pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Pain through to the back
  • Pain with deep breathing
  • Rattle sound in the chest
  • Lack of energy
  • Weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Lack of hunger

Severe symptoms that may occur in adults, are:

  • Bluish color of the nails or lips due to lack of oxygen in the blood
  • Confusion

Severe symptoms that may occur in babies and young children:

  • Nostrils that flare when breathing
  • Chest or ribs that suck in with each breath
  • A grunting sound with breathing

References

  • Community-acquired pneumonia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/community-acquired-pneumonia-in-adults.
  • Community-acquired pneumonia in children. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/community-acquired-pneumonia-in-children.
  • COVID-19: How to protect yourself and others. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.
  • Pneumonia. American Lung Association website. Available at: https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia.
  • What is pneumonia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pneumonia.

Contributors

  • David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Last Updated:
2022-12-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.