A common illness is Pneumonia that occurs in all age groups and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and people who are terminally and chronically ill. Symptoms of Pneumonia depend on the cause of infection. To prevent certain types of pneumonia, vaccines are available. The information of Symptoms of Pneumonia in adults is mentioned below.

Inflammation of the lung is Pneumonia and it is caused by bacteria, viruses or other organism’s infection. Rarely, pneumonia is caused by inhaled chemicals can irritate the lungs.

Usually, healthy people can fight with pneumonia infections but people who are ill or who are recovering from the flu (influenza) or an upper respiratory illness, have a weakened immune system. This makes it easier for bacteria to grow in their lungs. The most common causes of pneumonia are bacteria but viruses, fungi, and other agents also can be cause of pneumonia.

Symptoms of Pneumonia in Adults:

A wide range of symptoms, from mild to severe are produced by Pneumonia. The symptoms of Pneumonia are cough which can dry or productive (producing mucus), shortness of breath, chills, fever and chest pain. Sick people get Pneumonia easily and this infection depends on their age, their general health and what caused their illness.

Specific symptoms can depend on the cause of the infection. Let's take an example of the organism Streptococcus pneumoniae, which is responsible for about two-thirds of all cases of pneumonia that may comes with abruptly infection. Fever, chills, chest pain and a cough that may either be dry or bring up mucus are the symptoms of this type of Pneumonia. A productive cough may smell bad or be bloodstained or a “rusty” color.

The organism Mycoplasma Pneumonia is a cause of less typical Pneumonia means it causes mild symptoms. Headache, a general feeling of illness, a low-grade fever, and a dry cough are the symptoms of this Pneumonia. Less specific symptoms in the elderly arise and that can be unlike those normally seen with pneumonia and may be difficult to recognize. In elderly person, its important sign is rapid breathing that may occur with a lung infection. With pneumonia in an elderly person, Confusion and pain in the upper part of the abdomen are also common.

Common symptoms of pneumonia:

Signs of Common Pneumonia in Adults

• Cough can be dry or productive (mucus-producing)
• Sudden onset of fever Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain when taking a breath
• Fatigue (feeling tired)

In the Elderly people

• Changes in chronic (long-term) coughs and the sputum (mucus) they produce
• Low-grade fever (99° to 100°F [37º to 38ºC])
• Shortness of breath, Rapid breathing (more than 20 breaths a minute while at rest) Fatigue, New onset of confusion
• Chest pain or pain in the upper abdomen

Signs of Severe Pneumonia (requires immediate medical attention)

• Temperature that rises above 104ºF (40ºC) or falls below 95ºF (35ºC)
• Pulse equal to or greater than 125 beats per minute while at rest
• Breathing rate greater than 30 breaths per minute while at rest
• Falling blood pressure (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg), causing dizziness, confusion or fainting

Risk factors:

Things That Put You at Greater Risk of Getting Pneumonia

Medical Conditions

• Cancer, or receiving chemotherapy or other cancer treatments
• Recent organ transplant
• Heart disease/coronary artery disease
• Diabetes
• Liver or kidney disease
• HIV
• Chronic bronchitis or emphysema
• Recent upper respiratory tract infection, cold, or flu-like symptoms
• Recent viral infection

Get more information about Symptoms of Pneumonia in Adults.

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