Does everyone with pneumonia get a cough?
No. In fact, people over 65 often have neither a cough nor fever, helping their lung infection to stay under the radar. Experts say a key sign of pneumonia in this age group (and sometimes the only sign) is a sudden change in mental awareness.
How can you tell if an infant has pneumonia?
Babies may have less-typical symptoms of pneumonia. They may vomit or appear restless or listless, with low energy. They may also grunt, have a bluish tone to their skin and lips, or have difficulty eating. Any of these are good reasons to call your pediatrician.
You probably have some idea of what pneumonia is, but here’s something you may be less sure about: What causes pneumonia in the first place? And what can you do to keep from getting it? While some risk factors for getting pneumonia can’t be changed, like your age or whether you have an underlying chronic condition, others can be managed or modified. And knowing the most common direct causes of pneumonia can help you avoid them. Read on for the knowledge that can help you ward off this lung infection or skillfully navigate it if you do get it.
Maybe you had what you thought was a cold, and it’s not getting better. Or maybe you were doing fine and suddenly got walloped with a high fever, chills, cough, and stabbing pain when you breathe in. What’s going on? You might have pneumonia, a common lung infection that can strike anyone, though young children and older adults are at highest risk. The symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening, but the very good news is that pneumonia is highly treatable, and most people get better within a few weeks. Here’s what you need to know about this condition.