People need to be aware of the symptoms of pneumonia this winter.
Pneumonia is swelling of the tissue in one or both lungs. It's usually caused by a bacterial infection.
In the UK, pneumonia affects around eight in 1,000 adults each year. It's more widespread in autumn and winter months.
Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it's more common – and can be more serious – in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly.
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Symptoms of pneumonia
The symptoms of pneumonia can develop suddenly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.
Common symptoms of pneumonia include:
- a cough – which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm)
- difficulty breathing – your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting
- rapid heartbeat
- high temperature
- feeling generally unwell
- sweating and shivering
- loss of appetite
- chest pain – which gets worse when breathing or coughing
Less common symptoms include:
- coughing up blood (haemoptysis)
- headaches
- fatigue
- feeling sick or being sick
- wheezing
- joint and muscle pain
- feeling confused and disorientated, particularly in elderly people
According to the NHS, mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by getting plenty of rest, taking antibiotics if the pneumonia is likely to be caused by a bacterial infection and drinking plenty of fluids.
For at-risk groups, pneumonia can be severe and may need to be treated in hospital.
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