Pneumonia is an infection (inflammation) of the lungs that can happen to anyone. This disease can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Pneumonia can be cured with medication, especially if detected early. Scroll to Step 1 below to learn how to spot early and late symptoms of the disease.
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Method 1 of 2: Detecting Symptoms Early
Step 1. Pay attention if you find it difficult to breathe
When you have pneumonia, the pathogen causes the air sacs in your body to become inflamed, including the air sacs in your lungs. This means the lungs will begin to fill with fluid, which makes it difficult for them to expand while breathing. Your breaths will likely be faster but shallower, and you'll notice a rattling sound that seems to come out of your chest when you breathe in.
Lack of oxygen can be detected by looking at the skin, lips, and nail bed (epidermis under the nail). These areas will appear paler than usual because they are not getting enough oxygen
Step 2. Pay attention if you have a sudden headache
If you have viral pneumonia, the symptoms are similar to those of the flu. One of them is a headache. In this condition, the headache is caused by fever, runny nose, and dry cough.
Step 3. Record your fever
If you have pneumonia, you may have a fever. Take Tilenol to lower body temperature when you have a fever. You can also take a warm bath to lower body temperature. Monitor fever by noting an increase in body temperature. If the fever reaches 40.5° Celsius, you better go to the hospital immediately.
Your skin may be sweaty or very damp. When you have a fever, you will lose body fluids through sweat, so drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
Step 4. Notice if you start to feel cold or shiver
When the body temperature rises or falls due to illness, such as during a fever, the body will try to regulate the temperature inside the body by shivering. If you start to shiver or feel cold, rest in bed and put on a blanket to help soothe it.
Step 5. Pay attention to the color of the sputum
While this may sound unpleasant, it is very important to do this if you have a cough and start to cough up phlegm. Coughing is also a sign of pneumonia; your body is trying to clear the mucus in your lungs by expelling the phlegm.
Step 6. Watch for a drastic decrease in appetite
This is especially important if you are monitoring a baby who may have pneumonia. Babies can only breathe through their nose until they are three or four months old--when they can't breathe properly through their nose, they tend to refuse food. Feeding will be a challenge.
Method 2 of 2: Knowing the Late Symptoms
As pneumonia progresses, you will find your symptoms increase and get worse. The fever will get higher, the cough will be more painful, and you will feel very weak. If you experience these symptoms, go to the hospital immediately.
Step 1. See a doctor if you have severe chest pain
If you feel a sharp, knife-like pain when you take a deep breath or cough, you may have pneumonia. This pain will be felt in the chest wall where the lungs are located, and the chest will feel tight when breathing. The pain is caused by fluid that collects in the lungs, which prevents them from developing properly when breathing.
When this pain is felt, take one deep breath and remain calm. Then rest yourself for a minute or two--the pain should lessen
Step 2. Watch for red spots on the phlegm
If you see red patches of phlegm that come out when you cough, you should go to the hospital. The doctor will order X-rays to determine how far the pneumonia has progressed.
Step 3. Go to the hospital if your temperature doesn't drop
If you have a fever of up to 40.5°C and it doesn't go down even after taking Tilenol or taking a cold shower, you should go to the hospital immediately. High fever can cause seizures, and in extreme cases can lead to coma.
Step 4. Watch for an increase in heart rate
You may feel a very fast heartbeat. The normal heart rate for adults is 60 to 80 per minute. If you feel your heart rate exceeds the normal limit, see a doctor immediately.
Step 5. Tell your friends or family if you suddenly feel very dizzy
Dizziness is a common symptom in elderly individuals (elderly) who have pneumonia. When your lungs fill with phlegm/mucus, only a little oxygen can be delivered to the brain, which can then cause mental changes. This dizziness can result in disorientation and confusion (forgetting) about the time, place, and events that are taking place.
In addition to dizziness, you may also feel very lightheaded
Tips
- When treating pneumonia, make sure you get enough rest, drink plenty of water, and eat foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges.
- Along with the above-mentioned symptoms, you may also feel very weak.
- Infants and the elderly with pneumonia may also experience nausea or diarrhea.
- You will be prescribed an antibiotic at your doctor or hospital, most likely amoxicillin, to treat pneumonia.
