What Causes Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a lung infection that causes the air sacs in your lungs (called alveoli) to get inflamed and fill with fluid or pus. When this happens, it leads to symptoms that can range from mild to life-threatening. “It can hit anyone, but it’s especially risky for young kids, older adults and people with health problems that weaken their immune systems,” explains Matthew A. Jones, NP, Carilion Clinic Family Medicine – Wytheville.
The two most common causes of pneumonia are:
- Bacteria: Many different bacteria can cause pneumonia, but the most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. This can show up on its own or after a viral illness like a cold or the flu.
- Viruses: Respiratory viruses like the flu, a cold or COVID-19 can also cause pneumonia. This usually causes less severe cases, known as “walking pneumonia.”
In either case, pneumonia spreads easily—especially through coughing, sneezing or touching things like door handles where germs might hang out.
Symptoms to Watch For
The symptoms can range from mild to serious, depending on what’s causing it and how healthy you are to begin with. Here’s what to look out for:
- Cough: Often with mucus that can be yellow, green or even bloody
- Fever and chills: Sometimes you’ll feel hot one minute and freezing the next
- Breathing trouble: You might feel short of breath, especially when you move around
- Chest pain: It can feel sharp and get worse when you breathe deeply or cough
- Fatigue: You might feel like you can’t get out of bed
- Sweating and clammy skin: Your body’s working overtime to fight the infection
Kids and older adults might have different symptoms, like confusion, low energy or a drop in body temperature instead of a fever.
How Do Doctors Check for Pneumonia?
If you think you might have pneumonia, a doctor will:
- Ask about your symptoms: They’ll want to know how you’re feeling and how long it’s been going on
- Listen to your lungs: They’ll check for unusual sounds, like crackles or wheezes
- Run tests: A chest X-ray can show if your lungs are inflamed, and blood tests or mucus samples can help figure out what’s causing the infection
Treatment Options
How pneumonia is treated depends on what’s causing it:
- Bacterial pneumonia: You’ll probably need antibiotics. Most people start feeling better in a few days.
- Viral pneumonia: Antibiotics won’t work, so it’s all about rest and staying hydrated. Antiviral drugs might be used in some cases, like for flu-related pneumonia.
“For mild cases, you can usually recover at home with plenty of rest, fluids and over-the-counter meds to ease symptoms,” says Matthew. “Severe cases might mean a trip to the hospital for additional supportive care, oxygen or stronger antibiotics.”
Who’s More Likely to Get It?
Some people are at higher risk, including:
- Babies and toddlers
- Adults over 65
- Smokers
- People with conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart disease
- Anyone with a weakened immune system, like cancer patients
Can You Prevent Pneumonia?
While not all cases of pneumonia can be avoided, there are steps you can take to lower your risk:
- Vax up: Get vaccinated for the flu, COVID-19 and pneumonia if recommend by your doctor
- Wash your hands: It’s basic, but it works
- Stay healthy: Eat well, stay active and get enough sleep to keep your immune system strong
- Quit smoking: Smoking damages your lungs and makes it easier for infections to take hold
When Should You See a Doctor?
Pneumonia can become serious quickly, so it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience:
- Trouble breathing or severe shortness of breath
- Chest pain that doesn’t go away
- High fever that won’t break
- Confusion (especially in older adults)
- Coughing up blood or thick mucus
If you’re feeling off and think it might be pneumonia, don’t tough it out—check in with your doctor and get the treatment you need.
