What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia happens when the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs fill with fluid or pus, usually due to infection. It can affect one lung (unilateral) or both (bilateral), and ranges from mild to life-threatening depending on the cause and the person’s overall health.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
- Cough, often producing yellow, green, or blood-tinged mucus
- Fever, chills, and sweating
- Shortness of breath, even with mild activity
- Chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing
- Fatigue and confusion (especially in older adults)
- In infants: rapid breathing, grunting sounds, or poor feeding instead of typical adult symptoms
What causes pneumonia?
- Bacterial (most common in adults) — often Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Viral — including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), common in children.
- Fungal — less common, usually in people with weakened immune systems.
- Aspiration pneumonia — from inhaling food, liquid, or vomit into the lungs.
Risk increases with age over 65, smoking, chronic lung disease, and a recently weakened immune system (after flu, for example).
How is pneumonia diagnosed?
Diagnosis combines a physical exam (listening to the lungs) with a chest X-ray to confirm and locate the infection. Blood tests and sometimes a sputum culture help identify the specific cause, which guides antibiotic choice.
What is the treatment for pneumonia?
- Bacterial pneumonia: oral or, in more severe cases, intravenous antibiotics, usually for 5–7 days.
- Viral pneumonia: supportive care (rest, fluids, fever control); antivirals in specific cases like influenza.
- Oxygen support if blood oxygen levels are low.
- Hospitalization for severe cases, especially in older adults, infants, or people with underlying conditions.
Everything under one roof
Chest X-ray, lab work, and emergency or inpatient care are all available at the same location, so a suspected pneumonia can be confirmed and treated the same day.
Persistent cough, fever, or trouble breathing? Message us on WhatsApp and our team will guide you on next steps.
When should you go to the ER for pneumonia?
Go immediately if you experience: difficulty breathing or breathing rapidly, bluish lips or face, confusion, chest pain that doesn’t ease, or a fever that doesn’t respond to medication — especially in young children, adults over 65, or anyone with a chronic illness.
How can pneumonia be prevented?
- Get the pneumococcal and annual flu vaccines, especially if you’re over 65 or have a chronic condition.
- Wash hands frequently and avoid close contact with people who have respiratory infections.
- Don’t smoke, and manage chronic conditions like asthma or COPD closely.
- Practice good oral hygiene, which lowers aspiration pneumonia risk in older adults.
Reviewed by: Dra. Itzel Aguayo, General Medicine, and Dr. David Hernández, Internal Medicine, Hospital CMQ. Review date: July 2026. References: World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Mayo Clinic.