Symptoms
Symptoms of pneumonia may include some or all of the following:
| Bacterial Pneumonia | Viral Pneumonia | Atypical Pneumonia |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | Fever | Fever, often low-grade |
| Shaking chills | Chills | Chills |
| Cough that produces green, yellow, or rust-colored mucus | Dry cough | Coughing; may be violent at times; produces white mucus |
| Chest pain | Headache | Possible nausea or vomiting |
| Profuse sweating | Muscle pain | Weakness |
| Bluish color of the nails or lips due to diminished oxygen in the blood | Bluish color of the nails or lips due to diminished oxygen in the blood | |
| Confused mental state | Weakness |
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and listening to your chest. Tests may include:
- Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the body, in this case the chest
- CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the chest
- Blood tests
- Bronchoscopy —direct examination of airways
- Sputum culture—testing mucus coughed up from deep in the lungs
- Pulse oximetry—measures the amount of oxygen in the blood
- Arterial blood gas—measures oxygen, carbon dioxide, and acid in the blood
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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