Pneumonia symptoms in adults vary depending on the microorganism causing the illness. Common symptoms include fever, cough, chest pain, and fatigue. Bacterial pneumonia is more severe than viral pneumonia but can be treated with antibiotics. Diagnosis requires a doctor’s examination and tests.
The symptoms of pneumonia in adults are ambiguous and depend on the exact microorganism – bacterium, virus, fungus or mycoplasma – causing the illness. Symptoms of pneumonia in adults can mimic those of the flu virus or even the common cold. Some of the more common symptoms of pneumonia in adults include fever, chills, cough, chest pain, headache, body aches, and feeling abnormally tired or overcrowded. Pneumonia can be a life-threatening illness, so anyone who suspects they have pneumonia should speak to a licensed physician right away.
In older adults, the symptoms of pneumonia may, paradoxically, be less severe. This does not indicate that the disease itself is less serious. Immunocompromised adults might also experience milder signs of pneumonia. The symptoms of pneumonia in children tend to be more intense than those in adults.
The types of pneumonia are separated by the cause. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the clinical term for bacterial pneumonia infections. Mycoplasma pneumoniae are pneumonia infections caused by mycoplasmas, organisms that have characteristics of both viruses and bacteria. Chlamydia pneumoniae is a viral pneumonia infection. While there are fungal and chemical causes, they are relatively rare.
Bacterial pneumonia comes on quickly, with symptoms appearing seemingly out of nowhere. The symptoms are similar to those of viral pneumonia, but instead of the inability to breathe, the breath comes quickly. A productive cough with green, yellow, or blood-tinged sputum is a symptom of adult pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is considered more risky than viral pneumonia but can be treated with antibiotics.
Viral pneumonia occurs in two stages. The initial onset of viral pneumonia produces flu-like signs, including sore throat and loss of appetite. About 24 hours later, adults with viral pneumonia experience an increased fever, a cough that produces sputum, and pronounced shortness of breath. Severe viral symptoms of pneumonia in adults include an inability to hold breath and a slight blue discoloration of the lips or under the fingernails and toenails.
Mycoplasma pneumonia presents similarly to the other two varieties. The most pronounced difference with the symptoms of mycoplasma pneumonia is that the cough does not produce mucus. Mycoplasma pneumonia is no less unfortunate in terms of symptoms than the other two varieties.
Adult pneumonia can only be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. The symptoms of adult pneumonia alone are not enough to get a positive diagnosis. A doctor will examine the symptoms and listen to the patient’s lungs for any abnormal sounds. A blood or mucus test might be administered to help reach a diagnosis. In some cases, a chest x-ray may be required.
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