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Pneumonia does not always appear life-threatening from the outset. You might think that you only have a common cold with a mild cough, low fever, and minimal fatigue.

However, it may start to worsen after a little while. Slowly, you may find it difficult to breathe, and your chest may start to feel heavy.

Therefore, it is crucial to detect the early symptoms of pneumonia. Once you know what to be on the lookout for, you can easily seek help sooner and prevent heavy damage.

Types of Pneumonia

The types of pneumonia are as follows:

• Bacterial pneumonia
  Bacterial pneumonia spreads quickly. The air sacs start to swell instead of staying open. It is a direct infection of the lung tissue.
• Viral pneumonia
  Viral pneumonia starts with a virus. The virus moves from the upper airways into the lungs, causing lung problems.

Major Symptoms of Pneumonia

Pus fills the air sacs or lungs in Pneumonia. Next follows a respiratory infection, like a cold or cough. The major pneumonia symptoms are as follows

• Cough
  The colour of the cough can be yellow or green
• Fever
  Your temperature may rise along with shaking chills, and sweating may be present.
• Shortness of breath
  Breathing difficulty is present, and it may continue even while resting. It is especially noticeable during activities.
• Chest pain
  This may be present while resting or while coughing. It feels like a sharp pain.

Bacterial vs. Viral pneumonia symptoms

Read below to know in detail about the pneumonia symptoms of both categories.

Symptoms of Bacterial Pneumonia

The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may be more intense. Here are the bacterial pneumonia symptoms:

• High fever
  High fever can reach up to 105 degrees.
• Shaking chills
  Another symptom is shaking chills. This is when someone has uncontrollable shaking along with a fever.
• Cough
  The cough can be yellow or green in colour
• Rapid breathing
  The heart and breathing rate can be noticeably higher.

Viral Pneumonia

Symptoms of viral pneumonia are mild. These include

• Fever
• Headache
• Dry cough
• shortness of breath

Walking Pneumonia

Walking pneumonia has milder symptoms. It is caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The symptoms include

• Lingering dry cough
• mild fever and chills
• Itchy throat

Symptoms of pneumonia in kids

Babies and older children have different pneumonia symptoms.

Symptoms of pneumonia in older children

Pneumonia in children has a different list of symptoms. These include

• Cough along with mucous
• Abdominal issues like vomiting and stomachache
• High fever
• Breathing problems

Different Causes of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is caused by a variety of factors. These pneumonia causes include

• Bacteria
  Streptococcus is the main bacteria that leads to pneumonia.
• Viruses
  Flu virus, RSV, and other respiratory viruses can spread further down the lungs and result in pneumonia.
• Fungi
  Pneumonia caused by fungi is observed in individuals who have weak immune systems or have touched soil-related fungi.
• Compromised immune system
  Low immunity also allows infections to get to the lungs.
• Smoking
  Smoking harms the defenses of lungs and causes lung inflammation.
• Chronic diseases
  Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease and COPD, make the lungs more vulnerable to infection.
• Factor of age
  Babies and children under 5 and adults over 65 have a weaker resistance to lung infections.

Steps To Prevent Pneumonia

Preventing pneumonia is not a matter of one giant step. It is a set of minor behaviours that shield your lungs, day after day. Some are simple while others need a little planning. However, collectively, they add up to a real difference. So, follow the steps below for pneumonia treatment and prevention.

• Vaccines
  Vaccines help cut down on the infections that tend to move into the lungs.
• Wash your hands frequently
  Hand hygiene may sound simple, but the approach works. The germs can live for up to hours on hand surfaces. Therefore, washing hands frequently with a sanitizer helps a lot.
• Quit Smoking
  Smoking breaks down the defences inside the lungs. Once those defences are weakened, germs can readily move in. When you quit smoking, the lungs are able to perform optimally.
• Take care of your health
  Lungs lose strength in cases of asthma, diabetes and heart issues. So, keeping them in check is a way of tackling pneumonia.
• Stay alert
  For all of us, but for older people in particular, a little caution can help. If someone nearby is coughing continuously or has a fever, keep your distance.
• Sleep
  Sleep, hydration, and regular meals all help boost immune function.

If you catch a respiratory infection, keep track. If it persists or intensifies, do not ignore it. Early treatment prevents many infections from progressing to the lungs. Prevention steps need not be something very complicated. Instead, it can be steady. A few little decisions, but important decisions, can keep your lungs safer every day.

Conclusion

Pneumonia symptoms do not all land at once. They slip in gradually like the cough that sticks, tiredness that feels heavier than usual or tight breathing. Stay aware, as noticing pneumonia early is what makes all the difference.