Pneumonia - Symptoms 

Symptoms of pneumonia 

Pneumonia: Simon’s story

Simon developed pneumonia (an inflammation of the tissue in one or both of your lungs) in 2010. He describes the symptoms he experienced, the treatment he received and how the condition affected his ability to work on his farm.

Pneumonia symptoms vary and can be similar to those of other chest infections, such as acute bronchitis.

They can develop suddenly (for example, over 24-48 hours) or may sometimes come on more slowly, over several days.

Common symptoms of pneumonia

If you have pneumonia, you are likely to have a cough. This may be dry, or you may produce phlegm (thick mucus) that is yellow, green, brownish or blood-stained.

Other common symptoms include:

  • difficulty breathing: your breathing may be rapid and shallow and you may feel breathless, even when you are resting
  • rapid heartbeat
  • fever
  • feeling generally unwell
  • sweating and shivering
  • loss of appetite
  • pain in your chest

Less common symptoms

Less commonly, symptoms of pneumonia can include:

  • coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • wheezing
  • pain in your joints and muscles
  • feeling confused and disorientated (particularly in elderly people)

 

Last reviewed: 10/06/2010

Next review due: 10/06/2012

Comments

6 Comments

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Comments are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

naida4 said on 15 April 2012

In August 2011 I was ill with a very high temperture I had
a slight cough pains in my chest and fever of hot and cold I was in bed for two days nothing to eat ordrink could not get out of bed my partner decided it was time to
call the emergency services by the time they came which was'nt long I was in a bad way my eyese rollingand I could not focus. They took me straight to Truma were I was there for 6 hours I had no oxygen in my blood and also had x-rays done which showed as me having double pneumonia both lungs. I was put on a drip and oxygen, I was in hospital for 17 days. I had no really
symptons but do suffer with bronchitis and have been hospitalised with this before. I call pneumonia a slient killer and I now have an autoimmune disease Rheumatroid Arthritis. I still feel unwell and had to give my job up as I get very breathless and tired. My mother died of pneumonia and now my father has it lets hope he makes a recovery.

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marky71 said on 18 February 2012

on 17 october 2008 i was admitted to hospital after enduring 4 days of what i can only describe as total pain in my back,sweating going hot and cold,urinating alot and dizzyness and hallucinating,all horrible.
On having blood tests in hospital i was admitted to a surgical ward and put on a drip and administered morphine and anal liquid slow release diclofenac.
I was not well at all but given all the treatment i need and discharged the next day and made a full recovery.
If you have any symptoms dont delay this is a killer and if goes untreated will in some severe cases will be fatal,not all though,get your self to a hospital if your unsure.

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Ruthie1 said on 19 August 2011

On 1st August 2011 I developed a fever and was very tired. During that night I was woken by a very bad pain on the right side of my chest. This prevented any more sleep that night. The following morning I saw my GP who could not hear anything wrong with my chest and arranged a blood test. The following day I was admitted to hospital as my blood test showed my white cells were fighting an infection. I had now developed a cough and the pain in my chest was unbearable. A chest x ray diagnosed pneumonia. I had not had a virus or infection prior to attending my GP. I have just completed my second 7 day course of antibiotics (first set did not clear my symptoms). I feel much better but a slight pain still exists. Neither my GP or Consultant could hear anything wrong with my lungs. I have a follow up X ray in 4 weeks. My GP is my saviour for arranging the blood test. Pneumonia in my case was 'silent'. I've been advised that it could be many months before I fully recover.

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plymgreen said on 10 August 2011

In early august 2011. My partner and I were doing some gardening. I thought I'd pulled a muscle in my shoulder and had gel applied to the shoulder blade. It relieved the pain. But pain kept coming back, stronger and stronger. Breathing had also became inpaired. After seeing a nurse practioner, she refered me to the Doctor, who whilst I told I was struggling to breath gave me a prescription for the antibiotics to address the infection. After a helish night of not being able to breath, or find a place to settle. I couldn't sleep. I just sat on a wooden chair rocking, in uncomfortable pain. No matter where I put myself, i was in a mess. Next morning my partner took, one look at me and said hospital. I said yeah. I walked to the abulance just. I am writing this following the seven days antibiotics, where I am just regaining my breath. I spent four days in hospital. I am still a little dizzie. I am guessing its the side affects of the drugs. I have not driven yet, but know I got to soon. This ilness has left me scared of losing my breath. I have been an outside worker all my life and not smoked. I have coughed up a little blood and phlem. But hoping this will come to an end soon. My advice is any of these symptoms, get to see your Doctor. If you don't or unable to get in. Go to the hospital.

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tighsamhradh said on 24 May 2011

After two trips on two consecutive days to my local doctors surgery each time seen by a locum with (as I now know) the symptoms of Pneumonia, I was sent away with no treatment or apparent concern. The second one even refused to discuss my symptoms, and told me to leave. I had to demand to be seen again the second day by my usual doctor despite the receptionist telling me I could not be seen for another 3 days. Finally I was reluctantly granted another appointment the same day, and seen by my usual doctor. He immediately diagnosed Pneumonia and Bronchitis, and gave me a prescription for the relevant treatment. If I had waited for a second appointment, my condition would have only worsened without treatment. If you feel ill, make sure that the doctor you see has actually bothered to listen to your symptoms and fight for your right for a quick and correct diagnosis.

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mrhoodwink said on 15 October 2010

In august 09 I had pneumonia - and symptoms that I had was pain in both sides of my chest, - and also pain both sides of my back - back of my shoulder blades. I was given more than one lot of antibiotics, - The pain continued on and off for at least 12 months, - my GP said it does take a long time to get over. - even now I feel some pain in the same spot - at the back of my shoulder blades. - I am not coughing as much as I was 12 months ago, - but I do suffer with asthma so I normally cough due to this condition.

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