Can you have pneumonia without a cough? Other symptoms and more - Medical News Today

Posted: 29 Nov 2020 12:00 AM PST

Pneumonia is the medical term for lung inflammation. The condition typically occurs when a person acquires a viral, bacterial, or fungal lung infection.

Pneumonia usually triggers respiratory symptoms such as a cough. However, a person can have the condition without a cough. Those who do not experience this symptom are likely to experience other indications.

This article outlines the common and atypical signs and symptoms of pneumonia. We also list the different types of pneumonia and their causes, as well as information on treatments, prevention, and when to speak with a doctor.

The signs and symptoms of pneumonia vary from person to person. Some people may experience a mild illness that clears up on its own. Others may have severe symptoms and life threatening health complications.

People with pneumonia typically develop a cough. However, the American Thoracic Society state that it is possible to have pneumonia without the symptom.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, those most likely to develop complications of pneumonia also tend to experience the most atypical symptoms. These people include:

young children
older adults
people with serious underlying health conditions

The most common signs and symptoms of pneumonia include:

Pneumonia triggers irritation and inflammation of the tiny air sacs, known as alveoli, within the lungs. These air sacs are responsible for exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide, enabling the body to carry out its vital functions.

Pneumonia can cause the alveoli to fill with fluid or pus. Coughing is a natural reflex that aims to remove these excess fluids from the airways. A cough may bring up a green, yellow, or bloody mucus.

Atypical signs and symptoms in adults

For older adults and people with underlying health conditions, a cough may not be the primary symptom of pneumonia. These people may instead experience atypical signs and symptoms, such as:

Signs and symptoms in babies

Babies with pneumonia may also not experience coughing. Instead, they may display the following signs and symptoms:

vomiting
tiredness
restlessness
grunting
flaring of the nostrils when breathing
pulling the muscles between the ribs inward when breathing
rapid breathing
bluish discoloration of the skin and lips in light-skinned people, though they may appear gray or whitish in those with dark skin

Doctors classify pneumonia according to its type, severity, and location.

Type of pneumonia

Below are the different types of pneumonia and their associated causes.

Viral pneumonia: Develops in response to contracting a viral infection of the lungs.
Bacterial pneumonia: Occurs due to acquiring a bacterial infection within the lungs.
Fungal pneumonia: Develops in response to contracting a fungal infection within the lungs. It is less common than other types of pneumonia.
Aspiration pneumonia: Develops following inhalation of fluid into the lungs. This type is more common among people with certain breathing or swallowing disorders.

How and where someone develops pneumonia, such as at the hospital, on dialysis, or in long term nursing care, helps doctors differentiate the cause of the infection and devise appropriate treatments.

Severity of pneumonia

Doctors sometimes classify pneumonia according to its severity.

Mild pneumonia is not life threatening. People with this condition can usually recover at home with little or no medical treatment.

Moderate pneumonia requires a hospital stay for supportive care.

Severe pneumonia means that the lungs are not taking in enough oxygen or that the infection risks damage to other organs. A person with this condition may require intravenous medications, as well as mechanical ventilation to assist their breathing.

Location of pneumonia

Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs. It can also affect different sections or "lobes" of the lung.

A chest X-ray or other medical imaging test can reveal the location and extent of the pneumonia.

The treatment for pneumonia depends on its cause and severity. Some options include:

antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia
antiviral medications for viral pneumonia
antifungal medications for fungal pneumonia
steroids to improve lung function in people with severe pneumonia
over-the-counter medications to ease pain and reduce fever
fluids to prevent dehydration

A person with severe pneumonia may need to stay in the hospital for monitoring, receiving intravenous fluids and medications, and assisted breathing. If the condition is life threatening, a surgeon may need to remove part of the lung with the infection.

Most people recover from pneumonia. However, those with risk factors for the condition are more likely to experience serious and potentially life threatening complications.

Some risk factors for pneumonia include:

Severe, untreated pneumonia can cause life threatening complications, such as:

damage to the lungs, heart, liver, or kidneys
sepsis
organ failure
death

The following strategies can reduce a person's risk of developing pneumonia:

practicing frequent handwashing, especially before eating and after going out in public
adopting strategies to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as wearing a mask or face-covering in public
avoiding going to school or work when sick
exercising regularly to keep the heart and lungs healthy
talking to a doctor about getting the pneumococcal vaccine, which reduces the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia
annual immunization against influenza
getting up to date vaccinations for pertussis, also known as whooping cough
stopping smoking or vaping

Pneumonia is a severe condition that requires prompt medical attention. Even if a person does not experience a cough, this does not rule out the possibility that they have moderate or severe pneumonia.

A person should call their doctor if:

they experience signs or symptoms of pneumonia, especially if they have a respiratory infection or have recently recovered from one
they are undergoing home treatment for pneumonia, and their symptoms suddenly worsen
they are caring for a child, baby, or older adult who shows typical or atypical signs or symptoms of pneumonia
they are caring for a person with dementia who suddenly develops worsening symptoms of confusion or disorientation

Anyone who experiences severe breathing difficulties should phone for an ambulance immediately.

Pneumonia is a respiratory condition involving inflammation of the air sacs within the lungs. The disease is usually caused by contracting a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection.

Symptoms of pneumonia differ from person to person. Most people will develop a dry or wet cough, but this is not always the case. Those who do not have a cough may experience other symptoms, such as a fever, nausea and vomiting, or weakness.

Without treatment, pneumonia can be life threatening. Anyone who experiences signs or symptoms of the condition should speak with a doctor for a diagnosis and appropriate treatment. People who develop severe breathing difficulties should seek emergency medical attention.

Throwing up bile: Causes, treatment, and prevention - Medical News Today

Posted: 05 Sep 2017 12:00 AM PDT

Throwing up bile, a yellow or greenish liquid, can happen for many reasons. Some of the causes of a person throwing up bile may be serious and require urgent medical attention.

Someone who throws up bile should be aware of when to seek medical care and when vomiting bile can be relieved with home remedies.

Bile is the greenish-yellow liquid made by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It aids food digestion by mainly breaking down fats and turning them into fatty acids.

Bile is made of the following:

cholesterol
salts
bile acids
bilirubin
water
certain metals

Vomiting bile can occur whenever a person throws up, and their stomach is empty. This can happen when someone has stomach flu or food poisoning and has already thrown up all the food in their stomach. It can also happen if a person has not eaten for many hours.

There is a range of other reasons why a person may throw up bile, including:

While many cases of vomiting bile have a clear cause, vomiting due to an intestinal blockage or other condition may be more difficult to determine.

Sometimes, determining the cause of throwing up bile is simple. For example, if a person has been drinking heavily and threw up bile afterward, the cause is likely to be excessive alcohol consumption.

However, looking at other symptoms can help determine the cause of throwing up bile in cases where the reason is less obvious.

Bile reflux

Bile reflux is not the same as acid reflux, though their symptoms are similar. Bile reflux occurs when bile backs up into a person's stomach and esophagus.

Bile reflux often occurs after surgery, such as a gastric bypass or gallbladder removal, or because of peptic ulcers.

If a person vomits bile due to bile reflux, several other symptoms will likely occur, including:

severe pain in the upper abdomen
sour taste in the mouth
frequent heartburn
cough or hoarseness in the throat
nausea
weight loss

A person with symptoms of bile reflux should talk to a doctor. A doctor may be able to diagnose reflux based on a description of the symptoms alone. But they can also order further testing to determine whether it is bile reflux or acid reflux.

Proper diagnosis is crucial for treating bile reflux, as acid reflux treatments do not work for this condition.

Intestinal blockages

Intestinal blockages are a common cause of someone throwing up bile, but it may not be obvious to them that an intestinal blockage is to blame.

An intestinal blockage is serious and requires urgent medical attention to prevent complications, including sepsis, tissue death, and malnutrition.

A person who is throwing up bile should visit a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms:

waves of abdominal pain and cramps
constipation
loss of appetite
swelling of the abdomen
inability to pass gas

Symptoms of intestinal blockages may vary, depending on the underlying cause.

Intestinal blockages may be caused by any of the following:

colorectal cancer
other cancerous tumors
a hernia
diverticulitis or infection in the digestive tract
gallstones
impacted stool
adhesions and scar tissue from surgery
volvulus, otherwise known as twisted intestines
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
ileus, a condition that causes bowel problems

For adults, the two most common causes of bowel obstructions are colon cancer and adhesions or scar tissues that form in the intestines after abdominal or pelvic surgery.

A doctor can diagnose an intestinal blockage or obstruction by a physical exam and additional tests. Tests used to diagnose the cause of vomiting bile include:

For children under 3 years of age, the most common cause of intestinal blockage is a serious condition known as intussusception.

Intussusception happens when one part of the intestine slides into an adjacent section, similarly to the retraction of a telescope.

The condition causes pain that comes and goes at first before turning constant. The child may look very pale, tired, and limp, and may be vomiting.

Throwing up bile may not require medical attention if it has a clear cause and resolves with conservative methods, such as rest and rehydration. However, anyone who is persistently throwing up bile should see a doctor.

Anyone who is throwing up bile and has indications of bile reflux should see their doctor.

Similarly, people who are throwing up bile and have signs of dehydration should seek emergency medical care.

People should also see a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms in addition to throwing up bile:

chest pain
unexplained weight loss
severe abdominal pain
inability to stop throwing up
difficulty breathing
vomit that looks like coffee grounds

Carers of a child under 3 years of age should seek immediate medical attention if the child has any of the following symptoms and is throwing up bile:

complaining or crying in pain in waves
blood or mucus in their stool
lethargy
diarrhea
protrusion or lump in the abdomen
fever

In a child under 3 years old, these symptoms may be a sign of intussusception.

Infants can become dehydrated very quickly and may need medical intervention to rehydrate much sooner than adults.

The treatment for vomiting bile will vary, depending on the cause. In cases of binge drinking or food poisoning, intravenous fluids in the hospital may be sufficient to treat the symptoms and prevent further complications.

In minor cases, resting and rehydrating with water and fluids containing electrolytes may be sufficient to relieve symptoms.

In cases of bile reflux, a doctor may prescribe medication to control the reflux. Two common types include:

bile acid sequestrants
ursodeoxycholic acid

If medications are not enough, a doctor may recommend surgical options, such as gastric bypass surgery. In this procedure, a new opening is created to the small intestine that prevents a buildup of bile in the stomach.

Similarly, other surgical options may help treat blockages or adhesions.

A surgeon may remove a portion of the intestine or the source of the blockage. They may also need to insert a stent to open a blockage and prevent further blockages.

In cases of cancer, a doctor will need to assess how far the disease has spread to decide the treatment. Typical treatments for cancer include:

It is not always possible to prevent a person vomiting bile. However, lifestyle changes can avoid some of the most common causes, such as drinking alcohol to excess or poor diet choices.

To help prevent vomiting bile, a person can:

limit their alcohol intake and avoid binge drinking
not lift heavy objects to avoid the risk of a hernia
get regular colonoscopies if recommended by a doctor
avoid smoking tobacco
eat a variety of fruits and vegetables
eat foods high in fiber to help prevent diverticulitis
avoid uncooked or potentially contaminated foods

A person's overall outlook depends largely on the reason why they are throwing up bile. In acute cases, such as after a night of drinking or a bout of food poisoning, a person will likely make a full recovery with minor treatments.

People with underlying medical conditions may also experience a full recovery, but treatment will vary based on the condition.

Anyone experiencing unexplained or persistent vomiting should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and to avoid complications.

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