Pneumonia is a disease that has plagued mankind for thousands of years. Even with the discovery of antibiotics, it continues to infect thousands of people across the globe and it continues to claim lives every day. In fact, according to the American Thoracic Society, phenomena are the leading cause of death worldwide for children less than five years of age. Aside from childbirth, it is the most common reason for hospitalization with over 1 million Americans hospitalized for treatment every year.
It’s important to note that most of these symptoms are also signs of the common cold or the flu, but with pneumonia the symptoms will last longer and will progressively worsen over time. If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly if you are having issues with breathing or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately as these can also be signs of more severe medical issues.
1. Fever Chills
Fever chills are a common symptom of pneumonia. The microbe that causes the lung infection produces byproducts called pyrogens. These pyrogens trigger a reaction in the brain that causes fever. Keep in mind that a fever isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
It’s part of the immune system’s natural mechanism of defense. The higher body temperature increases the production and the effectiveness of the immune’s system white blood cells. Pneumonia also functions best at normal body temperature, so elevating body temperature can hamper the growth of the infection.
The same pyrogens that tell the brain to increase body temperature also induce chills. The blood is drawn from the limbs and concentrated on the core, so the limbs feel colder. The shaking of the limbs helps induce more heat from the muscles, which aids in the fever.
Fever chills themselves are not dangerous, but they are a symptom of a serious infection and may be a sign of pneumonia. If fever exceeds 102 degrees seek immediate medical attention, as a high fever can cause seizures and brain damage.
2. Loss of Appetite
Pneumonia bacteria are difficult for the body to fight. All the body’s energy is invested into the immune system as it tries to combat the infection. It has very little energy left over even for basic activities of daily living. The body doesn’t want to spend any energy digesting food or filtering fluids through the kidneys, particularly since the kidneys are such an “expensive” organ to operate.
Consequently, most people who suffer from this disease experience a loss of appetite. They stop eating and drinking, and they can lose a substantial amount of weight in a very short period of time.
3. Dehydration
Dehydration is a dangerous symptom of pneumonia. The issue with dehydration is that people aren’t always aware how dehydrated they are. Loss of appetite is a major contributing factor to dehydration. People who suffer from the infection don’t feel thirsty, so they drink less. To make the issue worse, the fever from the infection also burns through body fluid.
Staying hydrated is a major concern for treatment. Most people who are hospitalized for it require an IV to ensure they have enough body fluid to fight the infection.
4. Fatigue
In nearly every case of pneumonia, people suffer from fatigue. The body musters all the energy it can to fight the infection, so there is very little energy left over. Fatigue is often one of the early symptoms of pneumonia, or at least one of the first noticed symptoms.
The problem is this symptom is that it’s not a hallmark or characteristic type of symptom. In other words, fatigue can be caused by anything from a simple head cold or even a stressful day. A lot of people experience this symptom first, but overlook it or dismiss it as something else. On the flip side, infants cannot express things in words like nausea or chest pain, but parents may notice their babies have less energy or appear restless with pneumonia.
5. Clammy Skin
Individuals suffering with pneumonia often complain of skin issues, the main complaint being clammy skin. The pneumonia causes a fever, which indirectly causes these skin issues. As the body temperature increases, the heat triggers the sweat glands to induce sweating. The actual skin surface feels cool because the body is internalizing the blood, drawing it away from the small capillaries in the skin. The result is cold, wet, pale looking skin.
6. Shortness of Breath
The lungs are the source of infection in pneumonia. Specifically, the small blood vessels in the lungs leak fluid into the air sacs of lungs. As these air sacs (also called alveoli) fill with fluid, it impedes the ability breath.
Shortness of breath typically only occurs in more severe cases, or in cases with preexisting conditions. Those who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD), emphysema, or those who smoke are much likely to experience shortness of breath. Medical attention should be sought immediately if this symptom is present, as it is considered a severe, end-stage symptom.
In the hospital, they will immediately treat breathing issues with oxygen machine called a ventilator. Without a ventilator, shortness of breath will cause patients to breathe faster and faster because the lungs are simply not functioning properly.
7. Wheezing
Wheezing is a high pitched, whistling sound made while breathing. Usually it is heard with exhaling, but can sometimes be heard with inhales too.
As fluid seeps into the alveoli of the lungs, the capillaries release more and more mucus into the lungs, which further reduces the gas exchange efficiency of the lungs. The inefficient lungs are filled with mucus and narrows the already inflamed airways, so wheezing is inevitable in moderate cases.
Wheezing, like shortness of breath, can be an important and severe symptom of pneumonia. There is no way to treat wheezing because there is no way to expand the inflamed airways. Typically, doctors will just ensure patients receive adequate oxygen with a ventilator and work to treat the infection itself.
8. Chest Pain
Pneumonia can cause a sensation of pressure, discomfort, or squeezing on the chest. Chest pain, also known as angina, occurs whenever the heart is deprived of oxygen rich blood. As the lungs fill with fluid and gas exchange is inefficient, the blood has excess carbon dioxide and not enough oxygen, so angina is a clear symptom.
Chest pain, like a fever or nausea, can be caused by many different things. Angina can be something as trivial as indigestion or as threatening as a heart attack, but it should always be taken seriously. When hospitalized with pneumonia, doctors will monitor the heart and blood pressure closely. A ventilator is also used to address the issue of angina, as it provides additional oxygen to the blood and subsequently to the heart.
9. Cough
Coughing is a very common symptom of pneumonia. As the lungs fill with mucus, that mucus can flow up through the airways to the esophagus. That mucus in the esophagus inevitably leads to coughing. It follows the same pathophysiology as acid reflux due to indigestion. People who are infected can have either a dry cough or a phlegm-producing “wet” cough. If the fluid builds up in the chest cavity and becomes infected, a chest tube or surgery may be required as part of the treatment.
