Pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days.

They can include:

• a cough
• shortness of breath
• a high temperature
• chest pain
• an aching body
• feeling very tired
• loss of appetite
• making wheezing noises when you breathe – babies may also make grunting noises
• feeling confused – this is common in older people

• you've had a cough for up to 3 weeks
• you're coughing up yellow or green mucus (phlegm)
• you have chest pain that comes and goes, or happens when breathing or coughing
• you're feeling short of breath

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online .

Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. If you have pneumonia caused by bacteria, you'll usually be given antibiotics.

Depending on your symptoms, most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks.

Some people are more at risk of becoming seriously ill. You may need to go to hospital for treatment if:

• you're over 65
• you have cardiovascular disease or a long-term lung condition
• your baby or young child has pneumonia
• you're very unwell
• you're not getting better after taking antibiotics

In hospital you'll usually be given antibiotics, and sometimes steroids, to treat the infection. You may also be given oxygen to help you breathe.

You may be sent for an X-ray of your chest and blood tests to check for other conditions.

If you're given antibiotics to take at home, keep taking them until you've finished them all, even if you start to feel better. Contact your doctor if you do not feel any better after taking them for 2 to 3 days.

There are some things you can do to help with recovery from pneumonia.

• rest until you feel better – try to stay at home if you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to do normal activities

• drink plenty of fluids

• take paracetamol or ibuprofen (if you have been told you can take it) to help with pain or a high temperature

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

• put used tissues in the bin as quickly as possible

• wash your hands regularly with water and soap

• do not take cough medicine – coughing helps your body get rid of the infection

• do not smoke

Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

You can can sometimes get pneumonia it if you have another infection such as:

• flu
• respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• COVID-19

Pneumonia can be caused by a fungal infection, but this is rare in healthy people in the UK.

It may also be caused by something getting into your lungs, such as water or food (aspiration pneumonia).

There are several vaccines available to help protect you or your child from infections that can cause pneumonia:

• pneumococcal vaccine – recommended for babies, adults over 65 and people at higher risk of pneumococcal infections
• flu vaccine – recommended during pregnancy, for adults over 65, people with certain long-term health conditions and those at high risk of catching or passing on flu
• RSV vaccine – recommended for adults aged 75 to 79, and during pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards) to help protect your baby after they're born
• COVID-19 vaccine – a seasonal vaccine that's recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19

Stopping smoking also reduces your chance of getting pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia include a cough (which may have yellow or green mucus), a high temperature, shortness of breath and chest pain.

Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics. Some people more at risk of becoming seriously ill may need treatment in hospital.

You can help ease the symptoms of pneumonia by taking painkillers, drinking plenty of fluids and resting. Try to stay at home and rest.

Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. It may also be caused by something getting into your lungs, such as food or water.

If you're at risk of getting seriously ill with pneumonia, vaccines are available to protect you or your child from infections that cause pneumonia.