1. Look Inside With Chest X-Rays
When a doctor is suspicious of pneumonia, he may order a chest x-ray. A chest x-ray will show any signs of fluid in the lungs. However, a chest x-ray may not always be accurate. Sometimes, pneumonia can settle deep within the lung or be so minute that it does not show up on a chest x-ray. In some cases, the doctor may also order an MRI or a CT scan.
2. Listen Through a Chest Examination
A doctor can examine your chest for signs of pneumonia. He will do this by listening to your breathing sounds through a stethoscope. If there is fluid in the lungs, he can hear it. He may also tap on your chest as he listens to your lungs to provide various sounds to determine if pneumonia is present.
3. The Pneumonia Blood Test
In addition to a chest x-ray and a chest examination, a doctor may also order a blood test to determine if pneumonia is present. The patient gives a sample of blood usually taken from the vein in the arm. If pneumonia is present, there will be a high white blood cell count. The doctor will read the lab results and determine if there is pneumonia present.
4. Pneumonia and the Phlegm Test
The phlegm test is another way a doctor can diagnose pneumonia. In this test, the doctor will use a cotton swab to collect some phlegm from the back of the throat. This phlegm specimen goes to the lab for examination under a microscope. The lab results show if pneumonia is present in the phlegm. This is not always the most effective way to diagnose pneumonia, but it is one possible way to get an idea of what is going on inside your mucus.
5. Diagnosis Through Symptoms
Sometimes a doctor will be able to diagnose pneumonia through an examination of your symptoms. Some common symptoms of pneumonia are a high fever (usually over 104), chills, a drowning sensation, excessive coughing that produces mucus, rapid swallowing or breathing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and extreme fatigue. If these symptoms have been occurring for several days and do not get better with over-the-counter medications, then a diagnosis of pneumonia is possible. When someone has pneumonia, it will appear as if they have the flu really bad.
