Symptoms

Symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to life-threatening. The severity of your pneumonia usually depends on:

 • the cause of your inflammation
 • the type of organism causing your infection
 • your age
 • your general health

The general symptoms of bacterial pneumonia can develop quickly over a short period of time and may include:

 • chest pain
 • shaking chills
 • fever
 • dry cough
 • wheezing
 • muscle aches
 • nausea
 • vomiting
 • rapid breathing
 • rapid heartbeat
 • difficulty breathing

Some symptoms may indicate a medical emergency. You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any of these symptoms:

 • skin with bluish tone (from lack of oxygen)
 • blood in sputum (coughed-up mucus)
 • labored breathing
 • high fever (102.5°F or higher)
 • confusion
 • rapid heartbeat
In the symptoms of severe pneumonia, in the case of children under 5 years’ present chest subsidence at the moment of breath, with the presence of rapid breathing.