Pneumonia - Know Signs Of It!

Pneumonia is an inflammation and infection of the lungs. This is a condition where the alveoli or the air sacs located in the lungs fill up with fluid and pus. It is because of this that oxygen cannot reach the infected individual’s bloodstream. People with pneumonia generally have cough, fever, and breathing problems. At times, it can also result in chest pain.

This is a condition that can affect one or both the lungs. There are different forms of this disease. Pulmonary infection is considered one of the most common causes of this disease. It is a kind of infection related to gram-negative or gram-positive bacteria and viruses. Certain infectious agents sharing the similarities of bacteria and viruses might also result in pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia in adults
The symptoms of pneumonia in adults include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Coughing up slightly bloody, brown or green mucus
• Weakness
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Chest pain

The milder forms of this disease do not disturb the regular functions of the affected individual and are called “walking” pneumonia.

Signs of pneumonia in children
Unlike adults, kids suffering from pneumonia might not experience a fever or a nagging cough. They might have more subtle signs of this infection. However, children have relatively higher chances of being infected because they do not have fully developed immune systems. Overall, the signs of pneumonia vary according to the age of an individual.

Pneumonia caused by bacteria like Chlamydophila pneumoniae and Mycoplasma pneumoniae generally results in milder signs of the disease in kids. This kind of pneumonia is called walking or atypical pneumonia and is generally found among school-going children. Children suffering from mild pneumonia might not feel very sick, but they can have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Low-grade fever
• Dry cough
• Tiredness
• Headache

Irrespective of the age of an individual, it is always important to consult a specialist after determining the symptoms of pneumonia. Remember, it is a deadly disease and needs timely treatment.