Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the lung’s air sacs (alveoli). As a result, the respective sacs might fill up with fluid or pus, causing a range of symptoms. However, individuals with this disease might overlook the signs or associate them with other health conditions. And this can lead to the condition turning severe. Therefore, people must identify and initiate a treatment plan as soon as possible. Find below the most common warning signs associated with pneumonia.

Persistent fever

A fever is usually the body’s defense mechanism to eliminate infections. The body temperature usually subsides once the disease is dealt with. However, someone with a persistent fever, with temperatures at or above 102 F, might be at risk of pneumonia. It indicates that the immune system is not successful at fighting the infection. Therefore, one must seek the help of a healthcare professional immediately to treat and manage the complication.

Chest complications

Pneumonia is characterized by inflammation in the airways. Therefore, it might limit the lungs’ ability to inhale and exhale. The symptoms can make it difficult to breathe. Pneumonia may also lead to rapid, shallow breathing and a painful sensation in the chest. Moreover, based on the severity of the swelling, the resulting lack of oxygen might trigger other symptoms like confusion and fatigue. Therefore, any trouble with breathing or pain in the chest requires an expert’s opinion.

Extended cold or flu

As the disease subsides, those affected by any form of infection might see improvements in their symptoms, such as cold or flu. However, if someone develops pneumonia, they might experience these signs for prolonged periods of time. These symptoms might also worsen gradually and fail to improve. This is another indicator that the body is struggling to fight the infection and may require healthcare specialist-recommended treatments to manage the infection.

Chills

Chills are another warning sign of pneumonia that may also cause the individual to shake. Experts believe that the condition is a common sign of walking pneumonia (atypical pneumonia), which is a term used to describe a mild case of the infection. It might be caused by certain molds, viruses, or bacteria and may not usually require bed rest or hospitalization. Individuals might also be able to continue with their daily activities. However, the condition might still affect one’s lifestyle as it triggers symptoms. Therefore, one should speak to an expert to manage walking pneumonia early.

Dry, sputum-producing cough

While some common viruses may trigger symptoms like cough, one that is dry or a chesty, sputum-producing one might indicate the onset of pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia usually triggers this sign and may also result in sputum that has pus or blood. On the other hand, people with viral pneumonia may have watery sputum or pus. Someone suffering from bacterial pneumonia may also exhibit other signs, such as high fevers up to 105 F, low appetite, and bluish lips and fingernails.

Sweaty or clammy skin

One may sweat when they take on extensive physical tasks or during a workout routine. However, if they experience profuse sweating or clammy skin, it could indicate the onset of pneumonia. The body usually sweats to try and get rid of this infection, which may generate excessive sweat without any activity. Furthermore, if sweating occurs with pneumonia, it could indicate the presence of sepsis, a severe complication of pneumonia that occurs in response to bacteria in the blood.

Pneumonia in children

Children at risk of pneumonia or those who have developed the condition might also show certain signs. However, these are usually harder to spot. Symptoms in babies might be vague, such as fussiness or trouble feeding. A few common signs one should keep an eye out for include:

• Rapid breathing
• Wheezing
• Cough
• Fever
• Grunting
• The inward pulling of muscle between the ribs when breathing
• Skin, lips, or fingertips that look blue

Adults should also look for other rare symptoms in children, such as abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, lack of energy, and poor feeding in infants who may eventually become dehydrated.