Pneumonia: Signs, Treatment, and When to Seek Help

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs that fills air sacs with fluid or pus. It can make breathing hard and cause a high fever, cough, and chest pain.

Common symptoms include a cough producing phlegm, shortness of breath during normal activities, chills, sweating, low energy, and sometimes confusion in older adults.

Pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Aspiration pneumonia happens when you inhale food, drink, or vomit into the lungs.

Doctors diagnose pneumonia with a medical exam, listening to your lungs, and tests like a chest X-ray, blood work, or pulse oximetry to check oxygen levels.

Treatment options

If a bacterial infection is suspected, antibiotics are the main treatment. Viral pneumonia sometimes improves on its own, but antivirals may be used for flu-related cases. Rest, fluids, and fever reducers help most people at home. If oxygen levels are low or breathing is very difficult, hospitals can deliver oxygen, IV fluids, and stronger treatments. Follow the exact medication plan your doctor gives and finish the full antibiotic course even if you feel better.

Who’s at risk and prevention

Older adults, babies, people who smoke, and anyone with chronic lung disease, diabetes, or a weak immune system have higher risk. Vaccines cut risk: get a yearly flu shot and talk to your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine if you are older or have chronic health problems. Simple habits like washing hands, avoiding close contact with sick people, and quitting smoking lower your chance of getting pneumonia.

Seek immediate care for fast or very troubled breathing, chest pain that gets worse, persistent high fever, sudden confusion, or lips and face turning blue. In infants look for poor feeding, too-fast breathing, or unusual sleepiness.

At home, rest and plenty of fluids help. Use a humidifier or a warm shower to ease breathing and cough. Take pain relievers and fever medicine as advised. Finish all prescribed antibiotics. If symptoms don’t improve in 48 to 72 hours, call your doctor for a follow-up and possible changes to treatment.

Your doctor may order a repeat chest X-ray if recovery is slow, especially for smokers and people over 50. Follow-up visits make sure lungs clear and medicines worked.

Antibiotic resistance is real—only take antibiotics when prescribed for bacterial pneumonia. Never share leftover antibiotics or use past prescriptions for a new illness. If you had severe pneumonia, pulmonary rehab exercises and gradual activity return help rebuild strength; start walking short distances and slowly increase. Watch for long-term cough or breathlessness; if they last more than a month, see a specialist.

Flu and pneumococcal vaccines cut your risk and make infections milder. Ask your doctor which pneumococcal shot fits your age and health. COVID-19 can also cause pneumonia, so keep up with recommended COVID vaccines and test if you have symptoms. Quitting smoking lowers risk and helps recovery; local programs and nicotine replacement make it easier. If you’re unsure about any step, call your healthcare provider and get clear next steps.

Early care usually means faster recovery and fewer complications today.