Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionCausesSymptomsIs It Contagious?When to Seek Medical CareDiagnosisTreatmentSigns of ImprovementComplicationsNext in Pneumonia GuideSymptoms of Pneumonia
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Causes
Symptoms
Is It Contagious?
When to Seek Medical Care
Diagnosis
Treatment
Signs of Improvement
Complications
Next in Pneumonia Guide
This article provides an overview of pneumonia, including types, causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention tips, and more.
Boris Zhitkov / Getty Images
What Is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is alung infectionthat can affect one or both lungs. It causes the air sacs in your lungs to fill with liquid or pus, making it harder to breathe. This infection can affect individuals differently, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening and requiring immediate medical attention.
Types of Pneumonia
Pneumonia may be described with nonmedical terms related to how it impacts someone, such as:
Additionally,aspiration pneumoniahappens when someone inhales a foreign substance, like food or beverage, into their lungs, and it causes an infection. This is more likely to have severe effects among older adults or someone under anesthesia and unaware.
Stages of Pneumonia
Pneumonia is less likely to have severe outcomes when diagnosed and treated effectively within its earliest stage. It affects the smallest airways in your lungs, where carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange occur, making breathing more difficult as it progresses.
During the first few days of pneumonia, you may have severe symptoms even if treatment has already begun. During this time, treatment could include antibiotics and supplemental oxygen.
As the first week of infection continues, pneumonia symptoms may worsen or begin to clear up, depending on the type, severity, and treatment plan.Complications such as a lung abscess (pus-filled cavity in the lung) andworsening cough, night sweats, coughing up blood, or unintentional weight loss may occur. In this case, a healthcare provider may prescribeantibiotics. If you have a lung abscess, it may need draining or surgical intervention.
In late-stage pneumonia, which typically starts around day eight of an infection, your immune system works hard to repair damage to your lungs. As this occurs, you usually cough to help remove any remaining debris. Antibiotics are typically prescribed for at least 10 days, but you may be weaned off of supplemental oxygen. If you continue to have complications during this time, mechanical ventilation may be necessary to allow the lungs to heal.
Long-term lung damage is possible for some people, requiring continued supplemental oxygen.
Are There Signs That Pneumonia Is Improving?
What Causes Pneumonia?
Some of the most common pneumonia-causing organisms include:
While these are the most common germs to cause pneumonia, healthcare providers cannot always identify which one may have caused the infection and, therefore, try to treat it broadly.
The COVID-19 and Pneumonia ConnectionThe virus that causes COVID-19 is a common cause of viral pneumonia. One study found that over 90% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 also tested positive for pneumonia. Those with severe COVID-19 symptoms had a 10% higher likelihood of developing pneumonia than those without symptoms.COVID-19 pneumonia commonly affects both lungs and is more likely to have long-lasting effects, though data on this are still young.
The COVID-19 and Pneumonia Connection
The virus that causes COVID-19 is a common cause of viral pneumonia. One study found that over 90% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 also tested positive for pneumonia. Those with severe COVID-19 symptoms had a 10% higher likelihood of developing pneumonia than those without symptoms.COVID-19 pneumonia commonly affects both lungs and is more likely to have long-lasting effects, though data on this are still young.
The virus that causes COVID-19 is a common cause of viral pneumonia. One study found that over 90% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 also tested positive for pneumonia. Those with severe COVID-19 symptoms had a 10% higher likelihood of developing pneumonia than those without symptoms.
COVID-19 pneumonia commonly affects both lungs and is more likely to have long-lasting effects, though data on this are still young.
Causes and Risk Factors of Pneumonia
Who Has the Highest Risk of Developing Pneumonia?
While pneumonia can vary in severity, certain populations are at a higher risk for developing pneumonia and complications, which include:
Symptoms of Pneumonia
A pneumonia infection often starts suddenly with noticeable symptoms that worsen, such as:
Bronchitis vs. Pneumonia
Bronchitisis when the small airways that distribute oxygen in your lungs (bronchioles) become inflamed and filled with mucus. This often occurs after you have a cold or other viral infection.Pneumoniaaffects the tiny sacs in your lungs that move oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of your bloodstream (alveoli).
Pneumonia Symptoms in Young Children
Babies and young childrenmay not have typical pneumonia symptoms, so paying attention to anything out of the ordinary is important. Babies may have a cough, fever, restlessness, fatigue, or vomiting.
Because pneumonia is a respiratory infection, there may also be signs of breathing difficulty, such as rapid breathing, pulling inward of the muscles around the ribs, widening of nostrils when breathing, grunting, fussiness, or a bluish tone to the lips and skin indicating low oxygen.
Call your pediatrician or seek emergency medical care if you notice anything unusual in your child’s health and breathing pattern.
Pneumonia Symptoms in Older Adults
Older adults may initially not have typical pneumonia symptoms and instead experience confusion and falls. Some people may also experience coughing up blood or bouts of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, theirtemperature may be lowerthan average versus having a fever. They may also show signs of labored breathing or complain of chest pain.
Is Pneumonia Contagious?
When to Seek Emergency Care for Pneumonia
Pneumonia can become severe quickly if left untreated, especially for people in high-risk populations. Seek emergency medical care if you experience difficulty breathing, are coughing up blood or pus, or have a high fever, chest pain, or a consistent cough.
People over age 50, infants and young children, and people with preexisting medical conditions should see a healthcare provider for pneumonia treatment since they are at a higher risk for complications.
Diagnosing Pneumonia
In addition to reviewing your symptoms, a healthcare provider will use one or more diagnostic tests to confirm pneumonia. These could include:
Once a pneumonia diagnosis is made, a healthcare provider can determine the best way to treat your infection.
How Is Pneumonia Treated?
Pneumonia treatment depends on the infection’s severity but generally involves medication and home remedies.
Medication
Pneumonia is treated using antibiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics may be used until the results of antibiotics sensitivity testing are available, which allows for more targeted antibiotic treatment.
Home Remedies
In addition to medicine, pneumonia treatment involves rest, drinking plenty of fluids, not smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke, and staying away from others to prevent transmission while contagious. You might also use fever-reducing medications and steamy showers or humidifiers.
Can Pneumonia Go Away on Its Own?
While mild cases of pneumonia may eventually go away on their own as your immune system works, untreated pneumonia can lead to severe complications that may even become life-threatening for some people. Speak with a healthcare provider regarding symptoms, especially if you’re having trouble breathing orhave high fevers, to determine the best treatment plan.
Signs That Pneumonia Is Improving
As pneumonia improves, your symptoms will begin to subside. Fevers will go away with normalized temperatures, you will produce less mucus, your chest will feel better, your cough will resolve, it will become easier to breathe, and your fatigue will improve. How long it takes for pneumonia symptoms to resolve depends on the individual, the severity of the infection, and your course of treatment.
Complications of Pneumonia
Left untreated, pneumonia complications are more likely to occur. Below are some of the most common complications of pneumonia, which generally need to be diagnosed using chest imaging:
The best way to avoid complications of pneumonia is to seek medical attention for any concerning symptoms and follow your healthcare provider’s prescribed treatment plan.
Can You Die From Pneumonia? What to Know
How to Prevent Pneumonia
Vaccines
There are two types ofpneumonia vaccinesthat can help reduce your risk of having severe pneumonia and complications:
Speak with a healthcare provider to determine whether a pneumonia vaccine is appropriate for you and which one, especially if you are over age 50 or never received a vaccine series as a child. Talk to your localpharmacistabout a pneumonia vaccine if you do not have a primary care provider.
Other Tips
In addition to preventive vaccines, there are other things you can do to help reduce your chances of getting and spreading pneumonia.
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds at a time throughout the day, particularly after using the restroom, before eating, and when returning home from being out. Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched frequently.
Additionally, cover your mouth with your elbow when you sneeze or cough to help prevent the spread of germs. Avoid sharing straws, cups, and utensils with others, especially those who are sick or have recently been sick.
23 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Musher DM, Abers MS, Bartlett JG.Evolving understanding of the causes of pneumonia in adults, with special attention to the role of pneumococcus.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(10):1736-1744. doi:10.1093/cid/cix549Lanks CW, Musani AI, Hsia DW.Community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(3):487-501. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.12.008Klompas M, Branson R, Cawcutt K, et al.Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022;43(6):687-713. doi:10.1017/ice.2022.88Niederman MS, Cilloniz C.Aspiration pneumonia.Rev Esp Quimioter. 2022;35 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):73-77. doi:10.37201/req/s01.17.2022Hooven TA, Polin RA.Pneumonia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017;22(4):206-213. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2017.03.002Marra A, Hillejan L, Ukena D.Therapie von Lungenabszessen [Management of Lung Abscess].Zentralbl Chir. 2015;140 Suppl 1:S47-S53. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1557883Centers for Disease Control.About Pneumonia.Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, et al.Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China.N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):1708-1720. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2002032Johns Hopkins.COVID-19 lung damage.Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal disease: Causes and how it spreads.NIH National Heart. Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia symptoms.Torres A, Cilloniz C, Niederman MS, et al.Pneumonia.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):25. Published 2021 Apr 8. doi:10.1038/s41572-021-00259-0Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute Bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(7):560-565.American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med.2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08Nicolaou EV, Bartlett AH.Necrotizing pneumonia.Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(2):e65-e68. doi:10.3928/19382359-20170120-02NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.Medline Plus.Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).Jany B, Welte T.Pleural Effusion in Adults-Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377Chou CY, Wang SM, Liang CC, et al.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings: a nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2014;93(27):e174. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174Chen CY, Hsu SC, Hsieh HL, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0216367. Published 2019 May 9. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367Centers for Disease Control.Pneumonia prevention and control.Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal vaccination.
23 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Musher DM, Abers MS, Bartlett JG.Evolving understanding of the causes of pneumonia in adults, with special attention to the role of pneumococcus.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(10):1736-1744. doi:10.1093/cid/cix549Lanks CW, Musani AI, Hsia DW.Community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(3):487-501. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.12.008Klompas M, Branson R, Cawcutt K, et al.Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022;43(6):687-713. doi:10.1017/ice.2022.88Niederman MS, Cilloniz C.Aspiration pneumonia.Rev Esp Quimioter. 2022;35 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):73-77. doi:10.37201/req/s01.17.2022Hooven TA, Polin RA.Pneumonia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017;22(4):206-213. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2017.03.002Marra A, Hillejan L, Ukena D.Therapie von Lungenabszessen [Management of Lung Abscess].Zentralbl Chir. 2015;140 Suppl 1:S47-S53. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1557883Centers for Disease Control.About Pneumonia.Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, et al.Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China.N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):1708-1720. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2002032Johns Hopkins.COVID-19 lung damage.Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal disease: Causes and how it spreads.NIH National Heart. Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia symptoms.Torres A, Cilloniz C, Niederman MS, et al.Pneumonia.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):25. Published 2021 Apr 8. doi:10.1038/s41572-021-00259-0Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute Bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(7):560-565.American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med.2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08Nicolaou EV, Bartlett AH.Necrotizing pneumonia.Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(2):e65-e68. doi:10.3928/19382359-20170120-02NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.Medline Plus.Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).Jany B, Welte T.Pleural Effusion in Adults-Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377Chou CY, Wang SM, Liang CC, et al.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings: a nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2014;93(27):e174. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174Chen CY, Hsu SC, Hsieh HL, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0216367. Published 2019 May 9. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367Centers for Disease Control.Pneumonia prevention and control.Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal vaccination.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Musher DM, Abers MS, Bartlett JG.Evolving understanding of the causes of pneumonia in adults, with special attention to the role of pneumococcus.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(10):1736-1744. doi:10.1093/cid/cix549Lanks CW, Musani AI, Hsia DW.Community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(3):487-501. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.12.008Klompas M, Branson R, Cawcutt K, et al.Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022;43(6):687-713. doi:10.1017/ice.2022.88Niederman MS, Cilloniz C.Aspiration pneumonia.Rev Esp Quimioter. 2022;35 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):73-77. doi:10.37201/req/s01.17.2022Hooven TA, Polin RA.Pneumonia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017;22(4):206-213. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2017.03.002Marra A, Hillejan L, Ukena D.Therapie von Lungenabszessen [Management of Lung Abscess].Zentralbl Chir. 2015;140 Suppl 1:S47-S53. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1557883Centers for Disease Control.About Pneumonia.Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, et al.Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China.N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):1708-1720. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2002032Johns Hopkins.COVID-19 lung damage.Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal disease: Causes and how it spreads.NIH National Heart. Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia symptoms.Torres A, Cilloniz C, Niederman MS, et al.Pneumonia.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):25. Published 2021 Apr 8. doi:10.1038/s41572-021-00259-0Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute Bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(7):560-565.American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med.2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08Nicolaou EV, Bartlett AH.Necrotizing pneumonia.Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(2):e65-e68. doi:10.3928/19382359-20170120-02NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.Medline Plus.Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).Jany B, Welte T.Pleural Effusion in Adults-Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377Chou CY, Wang SM, Liang CC, et al.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings: a nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2014;93(27):e174. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174Chen CY, Hsu SC, Hsieh HL, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0216367. Published 2019 May 9. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367Centers for Disease Control.Pneumonia prevention and control.Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal vaccination.
Musher DM, Abers MS, Bartlett JG.Evolving understanding of the causes of pneumonia in adults, with special attention to the role of pneumococcus.Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(10):1736-1744. doi:10.1093/cid/cix549
Lanks CW, Musani AI, Hsia DW.Community-acquired pneumonia and hospital-acquired pneumonia.Med Clin North Am. 2019;103(3):487-501. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.12.008
Klompas M, Branson R, Cawcutt K, et al.Strategies to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator-associated events, and nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia in acute-care hospitals: 2022 Update.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2022;43(6):687-713. doi:10.1017/ice.2022.88
Niederman MS, Cilloniz C.Aspiration pneumonia.Rev Esp Quimioter. 2022;35 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):73-77. doi:10.37201/req/s01.17.2022
Hooven TA, Polin RA.Pneumonia.Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2017;22(4):206-213. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2017.03.002
Marra A, Hillejan L, Ukena D.Therapie von Lungenabszessen [Management of Lung Abscess].Zentralbl Chir. 2015;140 Suppl 1:S47-S53. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1557883
Centers for Disease Control.About Pneumonia.
Guan WJ, Ni ZY, Hu Y, et al.Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China.N Engl J Med. 2020;382(18):1708-1720. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2002032
Johns Hopkins.COVID-19 lung damage.
Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal disease: Causes and how it spreads.
NIH National Heart. Lung, and Blood Institute.Pneumonia symptoms.
Torres A, Cilloniz C, Niederman MS, et al.Pneumonia.Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2021;7(1):25. Published 2021 Apr 8. doi:10.1038/s41572-021-00259-0
Kinkade S, Long NA.Acute Bronchitis.Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(7):560-565.
American Lung Association.Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis.
Kuhajda I, Zarogoulidis K, Tsirgogianni K, et al.Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options.Ann Transl Med.2015;3(13):183. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.07.08
Nicolaou EV, Bartlett AH.Necrotizing pneumonia.Pediatr Ann. 2017;46(2):e65-e68. doi:10.3928/19382359-20170120-02
NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Respiratory failure.
Medline Plus.Collapsed lung (pneumothorax).
Jany B, Welte T.Pleural Effusion in Adults-Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment.Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2019;116(21):377-386. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2019.0377
Chou CY, Wang SM, Liang CC, et al.Risk of pneumonia among patients with chronic kidney disease in outpatient and inpatient settings: a nationwide population-based study.Medicine (Baltimore). 2014;93(27):e174. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000000174
Chen CY, Hsu SC, Hsieh HL, et al.Microbial etiology of pneumonia in patients with decreased renal function.PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0216367. Published 2019 May 9. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216367
Centers for Disease Control.Pneumonia prevention and control.
Centers for Disease Control.Pneumococcal vaccination.
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