Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection) Quiz
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Cough
Fatigue
Fever
Malaise
Whooping cough
Phlegm
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Chills
Loss of appetite
Green phlegm
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)?
Inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms include cough, increased phlegm, and fever. Some patients may experience breathlessness and chest pain. The most common cause is a bacterial infection.
Typical Symptoms of Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Difficulty breathing with shoulders moving up and down
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
- Breathing is weaker than usual
- Breathing faster than usual
- Fever
- Cough worsens after exercise
- Whole body pain
Diagnostic Questions for Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Do you have difficulty breathing, with your shoulders moving up and down?
- Do you experience wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing?
- Is your breathing weaker than usual?
- Are you breathing faster than usual?
Treatment of Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)
Treatment depends on the cause of pneumonia. Antibiotics will be given when bacteria is the cause. Depending on severity, some patients may also need hospitalization for oxygen therapy and monitoring.
Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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User Testimonials for Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)
Female, 20s
Ubie helped me understand my symptoms and eased my anxiety about the severity of my condition. Since it was suggested, I decided to see a doctor - better safe than sorry! Ubie provided me with the insight I needed regarding my doctor's visit. Usually, I only visit my primary care physician for routine checkups, but when Ubie indicated I potentially had pneumonia, I knew I needed to go. I'm glad I did, as the doctor's diagnosis matched Ubie's result.
(Dec 15, 2024)
Female, Teens
After using Ubie, I felt more confident about seeking professional medical advice. It helped me identify potential illnesses and recommended that I get treatment. When I visited my Primary Care Physician (PCP), I was diagnosed with pneumonia, just as Ubie had suggested.
(Dec 5, 2024)
Symptoms Related to Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)
Diseases Related to Pneumonia (Lower Respiratory Tract Infection)
FAQs
Q.
Persistent Cough? Why Your Chest Won’t Clear & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A cough lasting more than 3 weeks, especially beyond 8 weeks, is usually from post-viral irritation, postnasal drip, asthma, or acid reflux, but smoking or vaping, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia are other possibilities to rule out, particularly if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, high fever, or blood in your mucus. There are several factors to consider, and medically approved next steps include tracking symptoms, supportive care, avoiding overuse of suppressants, and seeing a clinician for tests or treatment if it persists or worsens; see below for important details and a free pneumonia symptom check that can guide when to seek urgent care.
References:
* Morice AH, Millqvist E, Bieksiene K, Chung KF, Diamant Z, Kastelik JA, Laffont E, McGarvey L, Smith JA, Song WJ, Birring SS. ERS guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in adults and children. Eur Respir J. 2020 Jan 9;55(1):1901136. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01136-2019. PMID: 31753908.
* Irwin RS, French CL, Chang AB. Chronic cough: A practical approach to investigation and management. Aust J Gen Pract. 2018 Jan-Feb;47(1-2):17-23. doi: 10.31128/ajgp/2018/47.1/1898. PMID: 29337059.
* Chung KF, Birring SS. Chronic cough: a neurological or an inflammatory disorder? Clin Transl Allergy. 2019 Jun 28;9:30. doi: 10.1186/s13601-019-0275-1. PMID: 31258674. PMCID: PMC6599380.
* Gibson PG, Ryan NM. Refractory chronic cough: a clinical approach to assessment and management. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2018 Feb;18(1):4-11. doi: 10.1097/ACI.0000000000000418. PMID: 29120894.
* Song WJ, Morice AH, Chung KF. Cough hypersensitivity syndrome: a new paradigm for chronic cough. Respirology. 2016 Aug;21(5):799-809. doi: 10.1111/resp.12781. Epub 2016 Apr 13. PMID: 27074219.
Q.
Short of Breath? Why Your Lungs Struggle & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Shortness of breath can arise from problems in the lungs, heart, or breathing muscles, commonly from infections, asthma, COPD, heart failure, or anxiety, and recognizing persistent COPD symptoms like chronic cough, wheeze, and exertional breathlessness is key. Seek urgent care for sudden severe breathlessness, chest pain, fainting, blue lips, confusion, or high fever. Otherwise, arrange a medical evaluation and follow medically approved steps like smoking cessation, prescribed inhalers, vaccinations, indoor air improvements, safe activity, and testing such as spirometry; there are several factors to consider, and complete details and next steps are outlined below.
References:
* Marciniuk DD, Avdeev SN. Dyspnea. N Engl J Med. 2021 Apr 8;384(14):1324-1339. doi: 10.1056/NEJMra1916394. PMID: 33826815. PubMed Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33826815/
* Burki NK. The Enigma of Dyspnea. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020 Jan 7;75(1):101-110. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.09.068. PMID: 31918824. PubMed Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31918824/
* Mahler DA, Fierro-Carrion GA, Rochester CL, Balakrishnan S, Bhatt SP, Coultas DB, Dransfield MT, Gavrilova P, Han MK, Kropski JA, Make BJ, Mularski RA, Punturieri A, Ramsey CD, Sandrock CE, Yawn BP. An Official American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Management of Dyspnea in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Apr 1;201(7):e57-e80. doi: 10.1164/rccm.202002-0348ST. PMID: 32233215. PubMed Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32233215/
* Currow DC, Johnson MJ, Ekstrom MP, Abernethy AP. Dyspnea Management: A Concise Review. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2019 Jul;58(1):153-159. doi: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2019.03.018. PMID: 30904558. PubMed Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30904558/
* Musa B, Akturk E, Al-Ani M. Dyspnea in the emergency department: a systematic review. Int J Emerg Med. 2018 Jan 16;11(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s12245-018-0174-z. PMID: 29339906; PMCID: PMC5773173. PubMed Link: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29339906/
Q.
Drowning from Within? Pneumonia Symptoms & Medically-Approved Next Steps
A.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can fill the air sacs with fluid or pus, leading to cough, fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, with higher risks for older adults, young children, and people with chronic conditions. There are several factors to consider; see below for medically approved next steps, including when to seek emergency care, how doctors diagnose it, which treatments apply to bacterial versus viral cases, safe home care, and prevention with vaccines.
References:
* Chung DR, Song JH, Kim YK, Chung YH, Park DW, Kim MJ, Kim KH, Lee JS, Kim S, Chung JH. Pneumonia. A Review. J Clin Med. 2023 Mar 1;12(5):1969. doi: 10.3390/jcm12051969. PMID: 36903009; PMCID: PMC10003054.
* Metlay JP, Waterer GW, Long AC, Anzueto A, Brozek J, Crothers K, Cooley L, Dean NC, Fine MJ, Flanders TP, Gabella J, Halm SM, Hart AM, Horsley MR, Jensen JS, Joffe E, Marrie DA, McCracken F, Newman S, Qaseem A, Miró JM, Blam MA, Musher DM, Restrepo MI, Shah RD, Thornton TA, Vinetz JM. Diagnosis and Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: An Official Clinical Practice Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2019 Oct 1;200(7):e45-e67. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201908-1581ST. PMID: 31593128.
* Mandell LA, Waterer GW, Long AC, Anzueto A, Brozek J, Crothers K, Cooley L, Dean NC, Fine MJ, Flanders TP, Gabella J, Halm SM, Hart AM, Horsley MR, Jensen JS, Joffe E, Marrie DA, McCracken F, Newman S, Qaseem A, Miró JM, Blam MA, Musher DM, Restrepo MI, Shah RD, Thornton TA, Vinetz JM. Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults: 2019 Guidelines From the Infectious Diseases Society of America and American Thoracic Society. Clin Infect Dis. 2020 Jan 23;70(2):e53-e84. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciz400. PMID: 31730673.
* Lim J, Han J, Lee HS, Lee SM, Choi H, Lee Y, Hong S, Lee S, Kim K, Shin MJ. Recent advances in the management of community-acquired pneumonia. F1000Res. 2021 Jan 12;10:17. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.27182.1. PMID: 33500877; PMCID: PMC7807096.
* Regunath H, Perumpilical JJ. Pneumonia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. 2023 Jan. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 32310557.
Q.
Heavy Lungs? Why Your Breath is Drowning & Next Steps for Pneumonia
A.
Heavy, wet, crackly breathing and chest tightness can signal pneumonia, an infection that fills your lung air sacs with fluid and makes oxygen transfer harder; it is treatable, but seek urgent care for severe shortness of breath, blue lips or fingertips, worsening chest pain, confusion, high fever, rapid heart rate, or low oxygen. There are several factors to consider. For who is at higher risk, how it is diagnosed, what treatments and home care help, recovery timelines, prevention steps, and a tool to check your symptoms, see the complete answer below.
References:
* Mandell LA, Niederman MS, et al. Community-acquired pneumonia in adults: a review. JAMA. 2023 Apr 11;329(14):1194-1205. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.4735. PMID: 37039794.
* Metlay JP, Waterer GW, et al. Diagnosis and Treatment of Adults with Community-Acquired Pneumonia. An Official Clinical Practice Guideline of the American Thoracic Society and Infectious Diseases Society of America. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2020 Mar 1;201(3):e45-e67. doi: 10.1164/rccm.201908-1581ST. PMID: 31589200.
* Reade G, Ghassemzadeh S. Pathophysiology and Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia. J Thorac Dis. 2018 Mar;10(Suppl 7):S837-S845. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2018.03.11. PMID: 29707204; PMCID: PMC5890835.
* File TM Jr, Marrie TJ. Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 11;384(10):955-965. doi: 10.1056/NEJMcp2029559. PMID: 33705030.
* Cilloniz C, Torres A, et al. Community-acquired pneumonia: an update. Ann Transl Med. 2019 Jun;7(11):238. doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.04.14. PMID: 31317056; PMCID: PMC6601831.
Q.
Internal Fire? Why Your Body is Fighting & Cephalexin Medical Steps
A.
Feeling like your body is on fire is usually inflammation from your immune system; when a bacterial infection is behind it, cephalexin can be an effective treatment, but viruses and many other causes will not improve with antibiotics. There are several factors to consider, including symptoms that suggest bacteria, timing of improvement, and when to seek urgent care. If you are prescribed cephalexin, take it exactly as directed, avoid using leftovers, watch for side effects, and contact a clinician if you are not improving within 48 to 72 hours or if severe warning signs appear; see complete steps, red flags, and alternatives below.
References:
* Chen S, Li Q, Li R, Liu H, Chen C, et al. The Role of Inflammation in Chronic Diseases: A Comprehensive Review. Aging Dis. 2020 Oct 1;11(5):1108-1123. doi: 10.14336/AD.2020.0101. PMID: 33173775; PMCID: PMC7644941.
* Lam K, Garside P, Mabbott NA. Host-pathogen interactions and the role of the immune system in bacterial infections. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2020 Nov;107:2-10. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.05.004. Epub 2020 May 12. PMID: 32414777.
* Li KKJ, Chiu PML, Ling CBC, Kwok YWC. First-generation cephalosporins for common infections: an update. Hong Kong Med J. 2023 Oct;29(5):446-453. doi: 10.12809/hkmj221087. Epub 2023 Oct 9. PMID: 37817478.
* O'Brien D, Stevens DL, Musher DM, et al. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: Updates on Management and Treatment. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2021 Sep;35(3):805-829. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2021.04.004. PMID: 34364585.
* Liu W, van der Klis CMA, van Schaik W. Understanding and tackling antimicrobial resistance: the role of host immunity. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2023 Oct;21(10):635-649. doi: 10.1038/s41579-023-00913-9. Epub 2023 Jun 20. PMID: 37337194.
Q.
Internal Fire? Why Your Body is Stalling + Your Amoxicillin Relief Plan
A.
There are several factors to consider if your body feels “on fire” and recovery has stalled: symptoms lasting longer than 7 to 10 days, worsening fever, chest symptoms, or thick colored mucus can suggest a bacterial infection where amoxicillin may help when prescribed, but it does not treat viruses and must be taken exactly as directed while monitoring for allergic reactions. For the complete relief plan, see below for when amoxicillin is appropriate, signs that need urgent care, a pneumonia symptom check, and proven recovery supports like rest, hydration, and avoiding misuse that fuels antibiotic resistance.
References:
* Winger, J., Hatcher, B. A., & Patel, P. R. (2021). Inflammation and fatigue: a review of the pathophysiology and clinical implications. *Journal of Neuroinflammation*, *18*(1), 163.
* O'Grady, N. P., & Barie, P. S. (2018). Fever: physiology, mechanisms, and therapeutic implications. *Journal of Intensive Care*, *6*(1), 74.
* Singh, R., & Gupta, P. (2023). Beta-Lactam Antibiotics: A Review of Their Mode of Action, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Clinical Applications. *Antibiotics (Basel)*, *12*(8), 1332.
* Chazan, B., & Maayan, S. (2023). Antibiotic resistance: A global crisis and the need for prudent use of antibiotics. *Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease*, *10*, 20499697231206689.
* Mandell, L. A., & Wunderink, R. G. (2021). Community-acquired pneumonia: An update on diagnosis and treatment. *Annals of Medicine*, *53*(1), 1017-1025.
Q.
Rattling Chest? Why Your Mucus is Stuck & Medically Approved Guaifenesin Steps
A.
A rattling chest is usually caused by thick mucus from a cold, bronchitis, or irritants; medically approved guaifenesin thins and loosens it so you can cough it out, and it works best when you follow label dosing and stay well hydrated. There are several factors and warning signs that change next steps, like symptoms lasting more than 7 to 10 days, high fever, chest pain, or shortness of breath; see the complete guidance below for product selection, safe use, supportive measures, side effects, who should be cautious, and when to seek urgent care.
References:
* Guarch, R., & Peray, S. (2020). Efficacy and safety of guaifenesin in the treatment of acute respiratory infections with productive cough: a narrative review. *Pneumon*, *33*(3), 196–203.
* Robinson, C., Smith, J., & Wenzel, R. (2012). Guaifenesin: A review of its role in expectoration and cough. *Cough*, *8*(1), 1–8.
* Kim, C. S., & Kim, Y. S. (2014). Mucus hypersecretion in airway diseases: new insight on mechanism and therapeutics. *Journal of Korean Medical Science*, *29*(1), 1–13.
* Rogers, D. F. (2007). Physiology of airway mucus clearance. *Journal of Aerosol Medicine*, *20*(Supplement 1), S19–S23.
* Kao, D. P., Zaid, H. N., & Kao, D. (2015). A critical appraisal of current evidence for over-the-counter cough and cold remedies: an evidence-based review. *Annals of Palliative Medicine*, *4*(2), 52–59.
Q.
Can I take leftover antibiotics from before?
A.
It is not safe to take leftover antibiotics because they might not be the right medicine for your current illness, and using them incorrectly can lead to antibiotic resistance. See below to understand more.
References:
Shah J, Trautner BW, Olmeda K, Laytner LA, Faustinella F, Paasche-Orlow MK, & Grigoryan L. (2024). A survey of patient practices regarding leftover antibiotics .... Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 38975752.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38975752/
Al-Mehmadi B, Alsubaie S, Al-Morikhi O, Alqahtani F, Almutairi W, Al-Mutairi M, et al. (2023). Knowledge and Attitude of self-medication with leftover .... F1000Research, 39618514.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39618514/
Kardas P, Pechère JC, Hughes DA, & Cornaglia G. (2007). A global survey of antibiotic leftovers in the outpatient setting. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 17933498.
Q.
Is it okay to drink alcohol with antibiotics?
A.
Drinking alcohol with antibiotics is not always safe, as it can cause side effects or make the antibiotics less effective. See below to understand more.
References:
Mergenhagen KA, Wattengel BA, Skelly MK, Clark CM, & Russo TA. (2020). a Review of the Evidence behind Alcohol and Antibiotic .... Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, 31871085.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31871085/
Seixas FA. (1975). Alcohol and its drug interactions. Annals of internal medicine, 1147446.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1147446/
Weathermon R, & Crabb DW. (1999). Alcohol and medication interactions. Alcohol research & health : the journal of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 10890797.
Q.
What is antibiotic resistance?
A.
Antibiotic resistance is when germs like bacteria change and become stronger, so the medicines meant to kill them don't work anymore. See below to understand more.
References:
Dever LA, & Dermody TS. (1991). Mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antibiotics - PubMed - NIH. Archives of internal medicine, 2025137.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2025137/
Alós JI. (2015). [Antibiotic resistance: A global crisis]. Enfermedades infecciosas y microbiologia clinica, 25475657.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25475657/
Phillips I. (1983). Environmental factors contributing to antibiotic resistance. Infection control : IC, 6558025.
Q.
What are the things I shouldn't do when I have pneumonia?
A.
When you have pneumonia, there are several important things you should avoid to support your recovery and prevent complications. These include avoiding strenuous activities, taking medications as recommended, staying hydrated and attending follow-up care.
References:
Baldie DJ, Entwistle VA, Davey PG. The information and support needs of patients discharged after a short hospital stay for treatment of low-risk Community Acquired Pneumonia: implications for treatment without admission. BMC Pulm Med. 2008 Jul 29;8:11. doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-8-11. PMID: 18664283; PMCID: PMC2518538.
Baldie DJ, Entwistle VA, Davey PG. The information and support needs of patients discharged after a short hospital stay for treatment of low-risk Community Acquired Pneumonia: implications for treatment without admission. BMC Pulm Med. 2008 Jul 29;8:11. doi: 10.1186/1471-2466-8-11. PMID: 18664283; PMCID: PMC2518538.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pneumonia Recovery. Published N.D. Accessed [October 17, 2024].
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Mandell, L. A., & Niederman, M. S. (2019). Aspiration pneumonia. New England Journal of Medicine.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/nejmra1714562Musher, D. M., & Thorner, A. R. (2014). Community-acquired pneumonia. New England Journal of Medicine.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/abs/10.1056/NEJMra1312885DiBardino, D. M., & Wunderink, R. G. (2015). Aspiration pneumonia: a review of modern trends. Journal of Critical Care.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883944114002871