Health Conditions A-Z Lung Disorders Pneumonia Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia By Lindsay Curtis Lindsay Curtis Lindsay Curtis is a freelance health & medical writer in South Florida. Prior to becoming a freelancer, she worked as a communications professional for health nonprofits and the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine and Faculty of Nursing. health's editorial guidelines Published on May 23, 2023 Medically reviewed by Reza Samad, MD Medically reviewed by Reza Samad, MD Reza Samad, MD, is a pulmonologist, medical educator at RWJBH Jersey City Medical Center, and assistant professor of medicine at St. George’s University School of Medicine. learn more In This Article View All In This Article Common Symptoms Bacterial Pneumonia Symptoms Viral Pneumonia Symptoms Fungal Pneumonia Symptoms Walking Pneumonia Symptoms Symptoms in Children When to See a Healthcare Provider FAQs Close fizkes / Getty Images Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs. When you have pneumonia, your air sacs become inflamed and fill up with fluid or pus, leading to symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, fever, and fatigue. Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. How severe your symptoms are depends on what is causing the infection, your age, and your overall health. That's why knowing the symptoms and understanding when to seek medical care is so important. Common Symptoms There are several types of pneumonia, which are categorized based on the type of germ causing the infection. Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections are the most common causes of pneumonia. While each type of pneumonia has distinct characteristics, there are common symptoms across all types. These include: Cough, with or without mucus Chest pain that worsens when taking a deep breath or coughing Difficulty breathing Loss of appetite Fever Fatigue Chills Sweating Confusion, especially in older adults Bacterial Pneumonia Symptoms Symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can vary. Sometimes you can develop the infection slowly over a few days, while others may have a sudden onset of symptoms. Bacterial pneumonia also tends to be more severe than other types of pneumonia. Common symptoms of bacterial pneumonia include: High fever (up to 105°F) Excessive sweating Chills Wet cough with yellow or green phlegm Rapid breathing Increased heart rate Blue-colored lips and fingernails due to lack of oxygen Shortness of breath Fatigue Weakness Viral Pneumonia Symptoms Symptoms of viral pneumonia develop gradually and are often mild initially. Initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are flu-like and may include: Fever Dry cough Headache Muscle pain Weakness However, your symptoms may get worse within one to two days after they begin. That said, you might experience: A worsening cough Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity Chills Sharp, stabbing chest pain Fatigue Clammy skin Fungal Pneumonia Symptoms Fungal pneumonia can develop after inhaling airborne spores of certain types of fungi. People with weakened immune systems (e.g., those with chronic lung diseases, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or autoimmune disorders) have a higher risk of developing fungal pneumonia. Symptoms of fungal pneumonia usually develop gradually over several days or weeks after exposure to the fungus and may include: Cough, sometimes with blood-tinged phlegmChest pain FeverShortness of breathFatigue Chills Walking Pneumonia Symptoms Walking pneumonia—also called atypical pneumonia—is a milder form of pneumonia that usually causes symptoms that do not affect your ability to carry out your daily activities. Symptoms of walking pneumonia may feel more like a common cold rather than pneumonia. With walking pneumonia, it's common to have the following symptoms: Cough Fever Chest pain Chills Headache Symptoms in Children Infants and children can develop pneumonia. In fact, young children under the age of five are especially vulnerable to pneumonia because their immune systems are still developing. Symptoms that you should look out for in children include: Fever Rapid breathing Cough Wheezing Chest pain Low energy Vomiting Decreased appetite Blue-colored lips and skin Irritability or fussiness Stuffy or runny nose When to See a Healthcare Provider If you or your child have symptoms of pneumonia, it's important to see a healthcare provider for a physical examination, diagnosis, and treatment. With pneumonia, seeking early treatment before the infection worsens is best. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and help you or your child recover sooner. However, certain symptoms of pneumonia warrant immediate medical care due to their severity and potential for complications. You should reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you or your child experience any of the following symptoms: Severe breathing difficultiesHigh fever that persists for more than a few daysSudden worsening of symptomsAltered mental state (e.g., confusion)Blue-colored lips or fingertips A Quick Review Pneumonia is a lung infection that can affect people of all ages. Common pneumonia symptoms include coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, and fatigue. Symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually, depending on the type of germ causing the infection. For example, bacterial pneumonia often has a sudden onset, while viral pneumonia symptoms usually develop gradually. By being aware of the signs and symptoms of each type of pneumonia and seeking timely medical care, you can seek treatment to help your body recover, lower the risk of serious health complications, and improve your overall quality of life. Frequently Asked Questions Can pneumonia clear up on its own? Pneumonia caused by bacteria or fungi usually requires medical treatment with antibiotics or antifungal medications. While mild cases of viral pneumonia may resolve with rest and hydration, seeking medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment is recommended. How long does pneumonia usually last? How long pneumonia lasts varies from person to person, depending on your age, overall health, and the type of pneumonia you have. With appropriate treatment, pneumonia symptoms improve within a week or two, but fatigue may persist for a month or longer. What are the four stages of pneumonia? The four stages of pneumonia are the congestion period, red hepatization, grey hepatization, and resolution. The stages describe the progression of the infection and its effects on the lung(s). The congestion period is when the lungs are red and inflamed with fluid-filled air sacs. Red and grey hepatization stages occur when the immune system works to clear the infectious agent (e.g., bacteria) that is causing your symptoms. Resolution is when the body’s immune response and treatment have effectively cleared the infection, and the air sacs and lungs begin to recover. Does pneumonia get worse at night? Some pneumonia symptoms, such as a cough, can worsen at night. This is because gravity causes mucus to pool in the throat when lying down to sleep, triggering the cough reflex. Because pneumonia causes the lungs’ air sacs to fill with fluid, laying flat on your back may make breathing more difficult. Try propping your head with extra pillows or lying on your side to help relieve your cough and make breathing easier while you sleep. Learn More: How to Stop Coughing at Night Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 10 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pneumonia symptoms. MedlinePlus. Pneumonia. American Lung Association. Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis. MedlinePlus. Viral pneumonia. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumocystis pneumonia. American Lung Association. What is walking pneumonia? MedlinePlus. Pneumonia in children - community-acquired. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pneumonia recovery. Pahal P, Rajasurya V, Sharma S. Typical bacterial pneumonia. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. MedlinePlus. Cough.