Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Most infections are due to bacteria or viruses, but some are caused by fungi.

Pneumonia can be a mild illness or it can be something much more serious. Pneumonia can be life threatening, especially in babies, young children and people older than 60, so it’s important to see a doctor right away.

If you or someone in your care is recovering well from a cold or flu but then it becomes worse, it may be pneumonia. If the affected person has trouble breathing, they should go to the nearest Emergency Department.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Quite often, people with pneumonia have previously had cold or flu symptoms for a few days or weeks that have got worse, not better.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:

cough — can be dry or may produce thick mucus (cough can last for several weeks after pneumonia has been treated successfully)
fever (a temperature of 38°C or higher), sweating and shivering — though in older people it can cause lower than normal body temperature
difficulty breathing, or rapid breathing (especially in young children) or shortness of breath. In children, the ribs or the skin under the neck can suck in, or babies may bob their heads while breathing
feeling generally tired and unwell
loss of appetite
People with pneumonia may also:

have a headache
have pain in the chest that is worse with breathing or coughing
cough up blood
have abdominal (tummy) pain
feel nauseous and maybe even vomit
ache all over
be confused or disorientated (especially older people)
have a blue colour around the mouth (cyanosis), due to lack of oxygen in more serious cases.

What causes pneumonia?
Pneumonia is caused by an infection of the lung. Most infections are caused by bacteria or viruses, although often a cause is never found. It can be triggered by a cold or the flu, which allows the germs to gain access to the lungs.

In severe cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19), breathing difficulties can develop into pneumonia. COVID-19 pneumonia is a serious illness that can be life-threatening.

Bacterial pneumonia may be caused by the pneumococcal bacteria, called Streptococcus pneumoniae. This is one of the most severe and potentially life-threatening types of pneumonia. Other types of bacteria that cause pneumonia are Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis.

Viral pneumonia is caused by different viruses. The most common are the influenza virus, human adenovirus and the respiratory syncytial virus. It is thought about half of pneumonia cases are caused by a virus.

Another common cause of pneumonia is infection by mycoplasma, a kind of bacterium. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasma organisms is usually milder, but recovery can be longer.

Other organisms, such as fungi, can also cause pneumonia. This is more common in people whose immune systems are not working properly, such as those with HIV infection or people being treated for cancer.

Some people are more likely to get pneumonia or develop a more severe illness, including:

babies and young children under 2
people over 65
people with medical conditions, such as diabetes, cancer or chronic diseases, affecting the lungs, heart, kidney or liver
people with weak immune systems or who are taking medicines that suppress their immune systems
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
people who smoke
people with feeding problems, such as those with intellectual disabilities at risk of aspiration (drawing food or liquid into the airway)
people who are being treated in hospital, especially if they are having help to breathe
If you suspect that you or someone in your care may have pneumonia, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. If the affected person has trouble breathing, they should go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

How is pneumonia diagnosed?
Doctors diagnose pneumonia mainly by talking to the person who is unwell and examining them.

Tests for pneumonia include blood samples, a swab from inside the nose or throat, urine or sputum (phlegm) to try to identify the cause of the pneumonia. A chest x-ray is usually also taken. If you are in hospital, doctors will also monitor to see if there is enough oxygen in your blood.