Pneumonia is a breathing (respiratory) condition in which there is an infection of the lung.
This article covers community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This type of pneumonia is found in people who have not recently been in the hospital or another health care facility such as a nursing home or rehab facility. Pneumonia that affects people in health care facilities, such as hospitals, is called hospital-acquired pneumonia.
What are the alternative names for Pneumonia?
Bronchopneumonia; Community-acquired pneumonia; CAP
What are the causes for Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a common illness that affects millions of people each year in the United States. Germs called bacteria, viruses, and fungi may cause pneumonia. In adults, bacteria are the most common cause of pneumonia.
Ways you can get pneumonia include:
Bacteria and viruses living in your nose, sinuses, or mouth may spread to your lungs.
You may breathe some of these germs directly into your lungs.
You breathe in (inhale) food, liquids, vomit, or fluids from the mouth into your lungs (aspiration pneumonia)
Pneumonia can be caused by many types of germs.
The most common type of bacteria is Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus).
Atypical pneumonia, often called walking pneumonia, is caused by other bacteria.
A fungus called Pneumocystis jiroveci can cause pneumonia in people whose immune system is not working well, especially people with advanced HIV infection.
Viruses, such as the flu virus, are also a common cause of pneumonia.
Risk factors that increase your chance of getting pneumonia include:
Dementia, stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy, or other brain disorders
Immune system problem (during cancer treatment, or due to HIV/AIDS, organ transplant, or other diseases)
Other serious illnesses, such as heart disease, liver cirrhosis, or diabetes
Recent surgery or trauma
Surgery to treat cancer of the mouth, throat, or neck
What are the symptoms for Pneumonia?
The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:
Cough (with some pneumonias you may cough up greenish or yellow mucus, or even bloody mucus)
Fever, which may be mild or high
Shaking chills
Shortness of breath (may only occur when you climb stairs or exert yourself)
Other symptoms include:
Confusion, especially in older people
Excess sweating and clammy skin
Headache
Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
Malaise (not feeling well)
Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
White nail syndrome, or leukonychia
What are the current treatments for Pneumonia?
Your doctor must first decide whether you need to be in the hospital. If you are treated in the hospital, you will receive:
Fluids and antibiotics through your veins
Oxygen therapy
Breathing treatments (possibly)
If you are diagnosed with a bacterial form of pneumonia, it is important that you are started on antibiotics very soon after you are admitted. If you have viral pneumonia, you will not receive antibiotics. This is because antibiotics do not kill viruses. You may receive other medicines, such as antivirals, if you have the flu.
You are more likely to be admitted to the hospital if you:
Have another serious medical problem
Have severe symptoms
Are unable to care for yourself at home, or are unable to eat or drink
Are older than 65
Have been taking antibiotics at home and are not getting better
Many people can be treated at home. If so, your doctor may tell you to take medicines such as antibiotics.
When taking antibiotics:
DO NOT miss any doses. Take the medicine until it is gone, even when you start to feel better.
DO NOT take cough medicine or cold medicine unless your doctor says it is OK. Coughing helps your body get rid of mucus from your lungs.
Breathing warm, moist (wet) air helps loosen the sticky mucus that may make you feel like you are choking. These things may help:
Place a warm, wet washcloth loosely over your nose and mouth.
Fill a humidifier with warm water and breathe in the warm mist.
Take a couple of deep breaths 2 or 3 times every hour. Deep breaths will help open up your lungs.
Tap your chest gently a few times a day while lying with your head lower than your chest. This helps bring up mucus from the lungs so that you can cough it out.
Drink plenty of liquids, as long as your provider says it is OK.
Drink water, juice, or weak tea
Drink at least 6 to 10 cups (1.5 to 2.5 liters) a day
DO NOT drink alcohol
Get plenty of rest when you go home. If you have trouble sleeping at night, take naps during the day.
What is the outlook (prognosis) for Pneumonia?
With treatment, most people improve within 2 weeks. Older adults or very sick people may need longer treatment.
Those who may be more likely to have complicated pneumonia include:
Older adults
People whose immune system does not work well
People with other, serious medical problems such as diabetes or cirrhosis of the liver
In all of the above conditions, pneumonia can lead to death, if it is severe.
In rare cases, more serious problems may develop, including:
Life-threatening changes in the lungs that require a breathing machine
Fluid around the lung (pleural effusion)
Infected fluid around the lung (empyema)
Lung abscesses
Your doctor may order another x-ray. This is to make sure your lungs are clear. But it may take many weeks for your x-ray to clear up. You will likely feel better before the x-ray clears up.
When should I contact a medical professional for Pneumonia?
Call your provider if you have:
Cough that brings up bloody or rust-colored mucus
Breathing (respiratory) symptoms that get worse
Chest pain that gets worse when you cough or breathe in
Fast or painful breathing
Night sweats or unexplained weight loss
Shortness of breath, shaking chills, or persistent fevers
Signs of pneumonia and a weak immune system (for example, such as with HIV or chemotherapy)
Worsening of symptoms after initial improvement
How do I prevent Pneumonia?
You can help prevent pneumonia by following the measures below.
Wash your hands often, especially:
Before preparing and eating food
After blowing your nose
After going to the bathroom
After changing a baby's diaper
After coming in contact with people who are sick
DO NOT smoke. Tobacco damages your lung's ability to fight infection.
Vaccines may help prevent some types of pneumonia. Be sure to get the following vaccines:
Flu vaccine can help prevent pneumonia caused by the flu virus.
Pneumococcal vaccine lowers your chances of getting pneumonia from Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Vaccines are even more important for older adults and people with diabetes, asthma, emphysema, HIV, cancer, people with organ transplants, or other long-term conditions.
REFERENCES
Daly JS, Ellison RT. Acute pneumonia. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 67.