What Pneumonia Is and Its Symptoms in Adults
Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the lungs' air sacs (alveoli). According to the CDC, the incubation period of pneumococcal pneumonia is short — about 1 to 3 days — and symptoms usually appear abruptly: fever with chills, a cough productive of thick sputum, shortness of breath, sharp stabbing chest pain when coughing or breathing deeply, and weakness.
Less common symptoms include headache, nausea, and vomiting. In older adults and people with serious illness or weak immune systems, symptoms may be fewer and milder — for example, a lower-than-normal body temperature. So never dismiss breathing complaints in the elderly.
Pneumonia Symptoms in Children
In children, pneumonia symptoms include fever, headache, and a slowly worsening cough. Children under 5 may also develop diarrhea, a runny nose, or vomiting. The CDC urges parents to watch out if a child's cough isn't improving, wheezing or breathing difficulty appears, the child seems dehydrated, or they keep missing school from illness.
There is also a mild form known as walking pneumonia, usually caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It often looks like a bad chest cold, so sufferers can still go about their day — but the infection is real and can spread through cough and sneeze droplets. About 2 million Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections are diagnosed each year, and the true number is likely higher.
Who Is Most at Risk
Children under 5 and adults over 65 are the most vulnerable groups. Risk also rises for people with chronic diseases such as COPD, diabetes, heart disease, or asthma, and for those with weakened immune systems, such as people with HIV/AIDS or organ transplant recipients.
As a preventive step, the CDC lowered the recommended age for pneumococcal vaccination from 65 to 50. Lowering the age gives more adults the chance to protect themselves at the age when infection risk rises substantially. Consult a doctor or health facility about the right vaccination schedule for you and your family.
When to See a Doctor Immediately
Seek immediate medical help if you experience severe difficulty breathing, a persistent high fever above 39°C (102°F), worsening chest pain, confusion or disorientation, or bluish lips or nails indicating low oxygen levels.
In children, see a doctor if the cough is getting worse instead of better, wheezing appears, breathing is difficult, or the child seems very weak. Pneumonia is usually diagnosed through a lung exam, oxygen measurement, and a chest X-ray. Treatment depends on the cause — antibiotics for bacterial infections — so don't delay getting checked.
