Pneumonia

What is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both of the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi or chemical irritants.

What are the Symptoms of Pneumonia?

Symptoms include:

• Shaking, chills
• Low energy, fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or cough
• High temperature
• Heavy perspiring
• Rapid pulse
• Rapid breathing
• Bluish color to lips and nail beds
• Confused mental state or delirium
• Cough that produces greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus

How is Pneumonia Treated?

Treatment may include antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia. Antibiotics may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. There is no clearly effective treatment for viral pneumonia, which usually heals on its own.