Major Symptoms Of Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a serious upper respiratory infection caused by a variety of bacteria that can enter the lungs, such as Streptococcus and Pneumococcus. Most of the time an individual's body can fight off these germs, but individuals who are already ill, babies, and older adults often cannot, making them more likely to develop pneumonia. Pneumonia can be treated at home, but sometimes it may require hospitalization. This depends on the age of the individual who is ill or the severity of the infection.

Pneumonia, it is crucial to note, can be fatal if not treated right away. As such, it is important to know the symptoms of pneumonia and seek treatment as soon as possible should any of them, or multiple, be detected.

Chest Pain While Breathing

Perhaps the most common warning sign of pneumonia is that of chest pain. Specifically, individuals dealing with a case of pneumonia will typically experience a type of chest pain doctors refer to as pleuritic pain in the chest, also known as painful breathing. Chest pain in pneumonia patients is typically short and stabbing in nature, rather than constant and radiating. Pleuritic chest pain is also aggravated when patients are coughing, which is another symptom of pneumonia that will be discussed in detail later on.

Whenever an individual experiences chest pain, especially when it makes it difficult for them to breathe properly, it is absolutely critical for them to seek medical attention as soon as possible to obtain an accurate diagnosis and receive treatment.