Major Symptoms Of Pneumonia

Shortness Of Breath

As mentioned previously, pleuritic chest pain is one of the most common symptoms associated with pneumonia. Another incredibly common sign is shortness of breath, as the two often coincide. This is because chest pain that worsens upon breathing makes it harder for the affected individual to breathe, often meaning they cannot catch a full breath and thus, are unable to take in sufficient air for their body's needs.

Patients with other lung conditions, such as asthma or emphysema, are the most at risk for experiencing shortness of breath if they contract pneumonia. Their shortness of breath is also often worse than those who do not have a chronic lung condition. Individuals dealing with prolonged shortness of breath should seek professional medical attention as soon as they can.

Phlegm

When an individual is sick, their body often produces phlegm, which is typically an off-white to green gel-like by-product of the body, indicating it is trying to fight off an infection. Phlegm exists to coat an individual's airways and such to help prevent illnesses from causing too much damage to them. It also helps carry bacteria and other toxins the body is attempting to push out of the lungs, usually through coughing.

While some phlegm is normal, pneumonia often causes an affected individual's body to produce excess phlegm. While the body will work to push it out, it can cause additional issues, such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, and a runny nose. This increases the patient's overall uncomfortableness when they are dealing with pneumonia.