Pneumonia

Pneumonia | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Lungs and airways Pneumonia Pneumonia About pneumonia Treating pneumonia About pneumonia Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs. Its usually caused by a bacterial infection. At the end of the breathing tubes in your lungsare clusters of tiny air sacs. If you have pneumonia, these tiny sacs become inflamed and fill up with fluid. Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumoniacan develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days. Commonsymptomsof pneumoniainclude: a cough which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stainedmucus (phlegm) difficulty breathing your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even whenresting rapid heartbeat fever feeling generally unwell sweating and shivering loss of appetite chest pain which gets worse when breathing or coughing Less common symptoms include: coughing up blood (haemoptysis) headaches fatigue nausea or vomiting wheezing joint and muscle pain feeling confused and disorientated, particularly in elderly people When to see your GP See your GP if youfeel unwell and you have typical symptoms of pneumonia. Seek urgent medical attention if youre experiencing severe symptoms, such asrapid breathing,chest painor confusion. Whos affected? In the UK, pneumonia affects around8in 1,000 adults each year. Its more widespreadin autumn and winter. Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but its more common and can be more seriousin certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly. People in these groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia. What causes pneumonia? Pneumonia is usually the result ofapneumococcal infection, caused by bacteria calledStreptococcus pneumoniae. Many different types of bacteria, includingHaemophilus influenzae and Staphylococcus aureus, can also cause pneumonia, as well as viruses and, more rarely, fungi. As well as bacterial pneumonia, other types include: viral pneumonia  most commonly caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and sometimes influenza type A or B; viruses are a common cause of pneumonia in young children aspiration pneumonia  caused by breathing in vomit,a foreign object, such as a peanut,or a harmful substance, such as smoke or a chemical fungal pneumonia rare in the UK and more likely to affect people with a weakened immune system hospital-acquired pneumonia  pneumonia that develops in hospital while being treated for another condition or having an operation; people in intensive careon breathing machines are particularly at risk of developing ventilator-associated pneumonia Risk groups The following groups have an increased risk of developing pneumonia: babies and very young children elderly people people who smoke people with other health conditions, such as asthma , cystic fibrosis , or a heart, kidney or liver condition people with a weakened immune system for example, as a result of a recent illness, such as flu , having HIV or AIDS , having chemotherapy ,or taking medication following an organ transplant Diagnosing pneumonia Your GP may be able to diagnose pneumonia by asking about your symptoms and examining your chest. Further tests may be needed in some cases. Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because it shares many symptoms with other conditions, such as the common cold , bronchitis and asthma . To help make a diagnosis, your GP may ask you: whetheryou feel breathless or youre breathing faster than usual how long youve had your cough,and whether youre coughing up mucus and what colour it is if the pain in your chest is worse when you breathe in or out Your GP may also take your temperature and listen to your chest and back with a stethoscope to check for any crackling or rattling sounds. They may also listen to your chest by tapping it. Lungs filled with fluid produce a different soundfrom normal healthy lungs. If you have mild pneumonia, you probably wontneed to have a chest X-ray or any other tests. You may need a chestX-ray or other tests, such as a sputum (mucus) test or blood tests ,if your symptoms havent improved within 48 hours of starting treatment. Treating pneumonia Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by: getting plenty of rest taking antibiotics drinking plenty of fluids If you dont have any other health problems, you should respond well to treatment and soon recover, although your cough may last for some time. As pneumonia isnt usually passed from one person to another, its safe to be around others, including family members. However, people with a weakened immune system should avoid close contact with a person with pneumonia until they start to get better. For at-risk groups, pneumonia can be severe and may need to be treated in hospital. This is because it can lead to serious complications, which in some cases can be fatal, depending on a persons health and age. Read more about treating pneumonia . Complications of pneumonia Complications of pneumonia are more common in young children, the elderlyand those with pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes . Possible complications of pneumonia include: pleurisy  where the thin linings between your lungs and ribcage (pleura) become inflamed, which can lead to respiratory failure a lung abscess a rare complication thats mostly seen in people with a serious pre-existing illness or a history of severe alcohol misuse blood poisoning (septicaemia)  also a rare but serious complication Youll be admitted to hospital for treatment if you develop one of these complications. Preventing pneumonia Although most cases of pneumonia are bacterial and arent passed on from one person to another, ensuring good standards of hygiene will help prevent germs spreading. For example, you should: cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or tissue when you cough or sneeze throw away used tissues immediately germs can live for several hours after they leave your nose or mouth wash your hands regularly to avoid transferring germs to other people or objects A healthylifestyle can also help prevent pneumonia. For example, you should avoid smokingas it damages your lungs and increases the chance of infection. Find outhow to stop smoking . Excessive and prolongedalcohol misuse also weakens your lungs natural defences against infections, making you more vulnerable to pneumonia. People at high risk of pneumoniashould be offered the pneumococcal vaccineand flu vaccine. Treating pneumonia Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home with rest, antibiotics and by drinking plenty of fluids. More severe cases may need hospital treatment. Unless a healthcare professional tells you otherwise, you should always finish taking a prescribed course of antibiotics, even if you feel better. If you stop taking an antibiotic part way through a course, the bacteria can become resistant to the antibiotic. After starting treatment, your symptoms should steadily improve. However, how quickly they improve will depend on how severe your pneumonia is. As a generalguide, after: one week  fever should have resolved four weeks chest pain and mucus production should have substantially reduced six weeks  cough and breathlessness should have substantially reduced three months  most symptoms should have resolved, but you may still feel very tired (fatigue) six months  most people will feel back to normal Treatment at home Visit your GP if your symptoms dont improve within three days of starting antibiotics . Symptoms may not improve if: the bacteria causing the infection is resistant to antibiotics  your GP may prescribe a different antibiotic, or they may prescribe a second antibiotic for you to take with the first one avirus is causing the infection, rather than bacteria  antibiotics have no effect on viruses, andyour bodys immune system will have to fight the viral infection by creating antibodies Painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen , may help relievepain and reducefever. However, you shouldnt take ibuprofen if you: are allergic to aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have asthma , kidney disease, a history of stomach ulcers or indigestion Cough medicines arent recommended as theres also little evidence they are effective. A warm honey and lemon drink can help relieve discomfort caused by coughing. Yourcough may persist for two to three weeks after you finish your course ofantibiotics,and you may feel tired for even longer as your body continues to recover. Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration , and get plenty of rest to help your body recover. If you smoke,its more important than ever to stop, as smoking damages your lungs. Read more about stop smoking treatments and how to stop smoking . See your GP if, after following the above self-help measures, your condition is deteriorating or isnt improving as expected. Pneumonia isnt usually passed from one person to another, so its safe to be around others, including family members. However, its best for people with a weakened immune system to avoid close contact with a person with pneumonia until they start to get better. Follow-up Your GP will probably arrange a follow-up appointment for you about six weeks after you start your course of antibiotics. In some cases, they may arrange follow-up tests, such as a chest X-ray , if: your symptoms havent improved your symptoms have come back you smoke youre over the age of 50 Some people may be advised to have a flu vaccination or pneumococcal vaccination after recovering from pneumonia. Read more about preventing pneumonia . Treatment in hospital You mayneed treatment inhospital ifyour symptoms are severe. Youll be given antibiotics and fluids intravenously through a drip, and you may need oxygen to help breathing. In very serious cases of pneumonia, breathing assistance through a ventilator in an intensive care unit (ICU)may be required. Read more about the complications of pneumonia . Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 07 December 2022 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. Email Address e.g. you@example.com Message Maximum of 500 characters Send feedback Add this page to\n            Info For Me Also on NHS inform Quit Your Way Scotland Pneumonia Pleurisy Shortness of breath NHS inform About NHS inform Editorial policy Contact us Webchat Give feedback about NHS inform Info for Me tool Terms and conditions Privacy and cookies policy Freedom of information (FOI) Accessibility Other languages and formats  2023 NHS 24  v1.1.1.17852