What does pneumonia feel like? Symptoms and treatment - Medical News Today

Posted: 29 Jan 2021 08:09 AM PST

Pneumonia is the medical term for inflammation of one or both lungs. The condition can occur as a result of a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Symptoms depend partly on the person's age and the type of pneumonia they have.

While some people may not need medical treatment for pneumonia, others may require such treatment to help prevent long-term health complications or even death.

This article outlines the early symptoms of pneumonia, the different kinds of pneumonia, and the differences between pneumonia, colds, and the flu. We also discuss treatment options and recovery times for people with pneumonia.

The early symptoms of pneumonia may be similar to those of influenza, especially if a person has viral pneumonia.

Early symptoms of pneumonia include:

Depending on the type of pneumonia a person has, symptoms may develop gradually or come on very suddenly.

The symptoms of pneumonia vary by type.

Bacterial pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia occurs when bacteria find their way into a lung and begin to multiply. This triggers an immune response that causes inflammation in the lower respiratory tract.

There are two types of bacterial pneumonia: typical and atypical. Atypical pneumonia differs from typical pneumonia in the following ways:

the bacteria responsible may cause slightly different symptoms
the bacteria may appear different on a chest X-ray
the bacteria may respond to different antibiotics

The most common type of typical bacterial pneumonia is pneumococcal pneumonia, caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Some bacteria that may cause atypical bacterial pneumonia include:

Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Chlamydophila pneumoniae
Legionella pneumophila

Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia may include:

audible crackles in the chest when breathing
dry, or "nonproductive," cough
wet, or "productive," cough that may produce yellow, green, brown, or blood-tinged mucus
chest pain that may worsen during coughing or physical activity
shortness of breath
a temperature higher than 100.4°F (38°C) or lower than 95°F (35°C)
increased heart rate and breathing rate
headache
fatigue
body aches and pains

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia develops in response to a viral infection. It tends to affect both lungs.

In adults, the most common cause of viral pneumonia is the influenza virus. In children, the most frequent cause is respiratory syncytial virus.

Many other virus types may cause viral pneumonia, including:

Viral pneumonia symptoms are very similar to those of bacterial pneumonia. However, a person may experience additional symptoms, such as:

Fungal pneumonia

Fungal pneumonia is more likely to affect people who have a chronic underlying health condition or a weakened immune system due to disease or the use of immunosuppressant medications. The most common type of fungal pneumonia in such populations is pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP).

Pneumocystis jirovecii is the fungus that causes PCP. The fungus attaches itself to the tiny air sacs, or alveoli, within the lungs, prompting the immune system to launch an inflammatory response. It is this response that causes damage to the lungs.

A person may also develop fungal pneumonia following exposure to fungal spores from soil. The following types of pneumonia-causing fungi exist in soil in some areas of the United States:

Coccidioidomycosis
Histoplasmosis
Cryptococcus

Symptoms of fungal pneumonia include:

dry cough
low-grade fever
breathing difficulties that may come on suddenly or worsen gradually over the course of several weeks

Viral vs. bacterial pneumonia symptoms

Although viral and bacterial pneumonia symptoms can be very similar, there are some key differences between the two. The section below outlines some examples.

Lungs affected: Bacterial pneumonia tends to affect one particular part, or lobe, of a lung, whereas viral pneumonia typically affects both lungs.
Symptom onset: The symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop either suddenly or gradually, whereas symptoms of viral pneumonia typically develop over several days.
Symptoms: People with bacterial pneumonia usually experience a higher temperature and a wet cough, whereas people with viral pneumonia tend to experience a lower temperature and a dry cough. Also, those with viral pneumonia often present with the flu and gastrointestinal symptoms, which people with bacterial pneumonia typically do not develop.

The symptoms of pneumonia can vary across different age groups.

Babies and infants may not show any signs of infection. If symptoms do appear, they may include:

cough
vomiting
fever
restlessness
lethargy

According to the American Lung Association (ALS), older adults are more likely to experience fewer and milder symptoms of pneumonia compared with people in younger age groups.

However, older adults are at increased risk of developing a sudden change in mental awareness as a result of pneumonia.

Several home remedies and medical treatments can help people recover from a case of pneumonia.

Home remedies

There are several steps a person can take to help their body heal from pneumonia. Examples include:

taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help control pain and fever
drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration and loosen phlegm
using humidifiers, as well as taking steamy baths or showers, to make breathing easier
avoiding smoking or being around secondhand smoke or wood smoke
resting as much as possible to help promote healing

Learn more about home remedies for pneumonia here.

Medical treatment

The medical treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia a person has.

Bacterial pneumonia

Doctors will prescribe antibiotics for people with bacterial pneumonia. A doctor may ask a person to come back within 2 days to assess the treatment and to make sure that people do not require hospitalization.

A doctor may also suggest that a person does the following to reduce their risk of bacterial pneumonia in the future:

Viral pneumonia

A doctor may prescribe antiviral medication for viral pneumonia. However, many people will recover simply by resting and managing their symptoms at home.

If a person has both viral and bacterial pneumonia, their doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.

Fungal pneumonia

If a person has fungal pneumonia, a doctor may prescribe a course of oral or intravenous therapy. This may consist of an antifungal treatment along with possibly glucocorticoids to reduce lung inflammation.

Some people may require mechanical ventilation to help them breathe.

Recovery times for pneumonia differ from person to person.

According to the ALS, some people experience symptom improvement within 1 week, while others may experience symptom improvement after a month or more. In either case, symptoms of tiredness and lethargy may continue for another month or so.

It is important to follow treatment recommendations from a doctor. Doing so will reduce the risk of complications. Possible complications of pneumonia include:

respiratory failure resulting in a need for mechanical ventilation
lung abscesses, where pus forms inside or around the lung
sepsis, which is uncontrolled inflammation that may lead to organ failure and can be fatal

It is important to contact a doctor if a person believes that they or a member of their family is experiencing symptoms of pneumonia. While some people may be able to recover at home without medical assistance, others may need medication or hospitalization.

People should seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of the following symptoms:

Pneumonia refers to inflammation of one or both lungs. The condition can develop as a result of a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of the lungs.

The symptoms of pneumonia may vary according to a person's age and the type of pneumonia they have. Possible symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, and fever or chills.

For people who are otherwise healthy, pneumonia symptoms may begin to improve within a month or so. Some people recover at home simply by resting and using over-the-counter medications. Others may require medical treatment or hospitalization.

A person should see their doctor if they experience symptoms of pneumonia. Anyone who experiences severe symptoms should seek emergency medical attention.

Morning Cough: Underlying Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment - Healthline

Posted: 02 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST

A morning cough is a relatively common health issue, and there are numerous potential causes. Coughing is your body's way of clearing irritants from your respiratory system.

While you sleep, phlegm and other irritants can pool in your lungs and throat overnight. When you become active in the morning, the phlegm starts to break up and may trigger a coughing fit.

Often, a morning cough isn't a sign of a serious medical condition. But if it doesn't go away after a few weeks or if it's making breathing difficult, it may be time to see a doctor.

Let's examine the potential causes of your morning coughing fits and look at how you can treat them.

A cough that produces phlegm is known as a wet cough or productive cough. If it doesn't produce phlegm, it's called a dry cough or unproductive cough. Knowing which type you have can help you narrow down the cause.

Common cold

The average American has two to three colds per year, and children usually have more. A persistent wet cough is one of the most common symptoms.

Many people find their cough is worse in the morning from phlegm that accumulates overnight.

Other symptoms of the common cold include:

Respiratory infections

Respiratory infections are a group of infections that target either your upper or lower respiratory tracts. The common cold and COVID-19 are two of many examples.

Like with colds, other respiratory infections also have the potential to increase phlegm buildup overnight that leads to coughing fits in the morning. Along with cold-like symptoms, you may also experience:

Allergy

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an immune reaction to airborne allergens such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites.

Symptoms can include:

Because dust mites tend to live in bedding, people with dust mite allergies usually experience worse symptoms at night and in the morning.

Pollen counts are generally highest in the morning and may worsen your cough in the morning if you have a pollen allergy.

Postnasal drip

Postnasal drip is when your body produces excessive mucus that builds up in the back of your nose and drips into your throat. It's often a symptom of colds, allergies, or eating spicy foods.

Symptoms include:

a constant feeling of needing to clear your throat
a wet cough that's worse at night or in the morning
nausea
sore or scratchy throat
bad breath

Bronchitis

Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs and can be either acute or chronic. Acute bronchitis is often caused by the common cold or respiratory infection. Chronic bronchitis is often caused by smoking.

Symptoms include:

wet cough
general cold symptoms
chest discomfort
slight fever or chills

People with bronchitis often find their cough is worse in the morning from phlegm that pools overnight.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to your lungs to swell. This swelling can make it difficult to breath. Asthma severity can range from barely noticeable to life threatening. The most common symptoms of asthma include:

dry or wet coughing
wheezing
trouble breathing
chest tightness
fatigue

Many people with asthma have a cough that's worse at night or in the early morning.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

COPD is a group of progressive pulmonary diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The most common cause of COPD is smoking tobacco.

The primary symptoms of COPD are a wet cough and trouble breathing.

Other symptoms include:

wheezing
chest tightness
frequent sickness
fatigue

Late-stage COPD may cause emergency symptoms, such as:

bluish lips or gray fingernails from low oxygen levels
confusion
inability to catch your breath or talk
rapid heart rate

Symptoms can appear at any time of a day, but in general, people with COPD experience the worst symptoms in the morning.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

It's thought that more than 25 percent of chronic coughs are caused by GERD. GERD occurs when your stomach acid frequently flows back into your esophagus from your stomach.

Symptoms include:

chronic cough
burning in your chest, often after eating
chest pain
swallowing difficulty
feeling of a lump in your throat

GERD commonly causes a cough after eating and when lying down. Some people with GERD may notice their cough is worse in the morning after spending the night lying in bed.

A morning cough is frequently paired with other symptoms.

Chronic coughing in the morning

A chronic cough that lingers may be caused by:

COPD
asthma
allergies to dust mites
chronic bronchitis

Coughing up blood in the morning

Medical emergency

Coughing up blood may be a sign of a serious medical issue. You should see a doctor if you see blood in your phlegm. Possible causes include:

Coughing at night and in the morning

If you're coughing in the morning and evening, it may be caused by:

postnasal drip
common cold
respiratory infection
asthma
GERD
COPD
lung cancer

Babies can experience morning coughs for many of the same reasons as adults and older children. Potential causes are:

If your morning cough doesn't go away after several weeks, you should visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis. You should also see a doctor if you experience:

Signs that you should seek emergency medical care include:

If you're dealing with a chronic cough, a doctor will likely ask you questions about your medical history. They'll also likely perform a physical exam and listen to your breathing with a stethoscope.

The doctor may also order a blood test or send a sample of your mucus to a lab to search for a viral infection.

If they expect you may have COPD or asthma, they may measure your lung function with a spirometry test.

If none of the previous tests identify the cause of your cough, a doctor might order imaging tests like an X-ray or a CT scan to check for lung cancer, pneumonia, and other lung diseases. They may also consider a scope test called a bronchoscopy to look inside your lungs with a small camera.

The best treatment option for your cough depends on the underlying cause.

Common cold, respiratory infections, postnasal drip, acute bronchitis

There isn't a cure for the common cold or for respiratory infections. Getting plenty of rest will help your body fight the infection faster.

Cough medicine can help suppress your urge to cough while decongestants can help manage postnasal drip.

Allergy

Potential treatments for a cough caused by allergies include:

COPD

COPD treatment options include:

GERD

Treatment options for GERD include:

There are many potential causes of a morning cough. Often, a morning cough isn't a need for concern. However, if it persists for more than 2 weeks or if you're having trouble breathing, it's a good idea to visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Search This Blog

Mucus