How does one know if one has pneumonia?!


Question: How does one know if one has pneumonia!?
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Signs and symptoms

Pneumonia can be difficult to spot!. It often mimics a cold or the flu, beginning with a cough and a fever, so you may not realize you have a more serious condition!. Chest pain is a common symptom of many types of pneumonia!. Pneumonia symptoms can vary greatly, depending on any underlying conditions you may have and the type of organism causing the infection:

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Bacteria!. Many types of bacteria can cause pneumonia!. Bacterial pneumonia can occur on its own, at the same time as viral pneumonia, or you may develop it after you've had a viral upper respiratory infection such as influenza!. Signs and symptoms, which are likely to come on suddenly, include shaking chills, a high fever, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, and a cough that produces thick, greenish or yellow phlegm!.

Ironically, high-risk groups such as older adults and people with a chronic illness or compromised immune system may have fewer or milder symptoms than less vulnerable people do!. And instead of the high fever that often characterizes pneumonia, older adults may even have a lower than normal temperature!.

Bacterial pneumonia is often confined to just one area (lobe) of the lung!. This is called lobar pneumonia!.
* Viruses!. About half of pneumonias are caused by viruses!. Viral pneumonia tends to begin with flu-like signs and symptoms!. It usually starts with a dry (nonproductive) cough, headache, fever, muscle pain and fatigue!. As the disease progresses, you may become breathless and develop a cough that produces just small quantities of phlegm that may be clear or white!. When you have viral pneumonia, you run the risk of also developing a secondary bacterial pneumonia!.
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Mycoplasma!. This tiny organism causes signs and symptoms similar to those of other bacterial and viral infections, although symptoms appear more gradually and are often mild and flu-like!. You may not be sick enough to stay in bed or to seek medical care and may never even know you've had pneumonia!. That's why this type of pneumonia is often called walking pneumonia!.

Mycoplasma pneumonia spreads easily in situations where people congregate and is common among schoolchildren and young adults!. Mycoplasma pneumonia responds well to treatment with the appropriate antibiotics, although you may continue to have a dry, nagging cough and continue to feel weak during your convalescence!.
* Fungi!. Certain types of fungus also can cause pneumonia, although these types of pneumonia are much less common!. Most people experience few if any symptoms after inhaling these fungi, but some develop symptoms of acute pneumonia, and still others may develop a chronic pneumonia that persists for months!.
* Pneumocystis carinii!. Pneumonia caused by P!. carinii is an opportunistic infection that affects people living with AIDS!. People whose immune systems are compromised by organ transplants, chemotherapy, or treatment with corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing drugs such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors also are at risk!. The signs and symptoms of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia include a cough that doesn't go away, fever and shortness of breath!.

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By Mayo Clinic StaffWww@Answer-Health@Com

I had walking pneumonia in January!. I had chest pains every time I coughed; I had chills and a fever!. I thought I had the flu; within a couple of days I felt better!.!.!. but the cough didn't go away; it kept getting worse!. Thats a tell-tale sign!.!.!. over the course of a week my cough worsened and sounded very crackly!. It was noticeable!. I had some wheezing too!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Cough, fever, shortness of breath,lack of tolerance to exercise are some of the usual symptoms of pneumonia!. It is diagnosed by chest x ray!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Look into Buteyko breathing!. It is very effective for many respiratory problems and totally natural!. There is lots of info on the internet!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

Your chest hurts, you feel like you can't breathe and you have a fever and a cough!.Www@Answer-Health@Com

You lay an egg every time you sneeze and or cough!.

Hope you are feeling ok!Www@Answer-Health@Com

cronic cough, fever that comes and goes, chest painWww@Answer-Health@Com





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