Pneumonia is an acute inflammation of the lung tissue. Symptoms will vary depending on the micro-organisms causing the pneumonia. A chest x-ray along with the patient's signs and symptoms are used to determine if pneumonia is present. A sputum sample will identify the specific organism causing the pneumonia.
Malaise and Fever
Patients with pneumonia may complain of general symptoms such as malaise and fever. Malaise is a feeling of discomfort and is often an early sign of infection. Fever is common with pneumonia, although, in the older patient, fever may not be present even through there is infection. Malaise may also cause the patient to have a decreased appetite. If the patient is not eating or drinking, he could become dehydrated. Dehydration can cause a patient's heart rate to increase. Fever can also contribute to an increased heart rate.
Cough
Cough is common with pneumonia. The cough may start as a dry cough and become productive as the pneumonia progresses. According to "Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nurses," the sputum may be rusty colored, blood-tinged or may contain pus, depending on the organism causing the pneumonia.
Abdominal Pain
Some patients may complain of abdominal pain with pneumonia. As noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, severe abdominal pain sometimes occurs in people with pneumonia in the lower lobes of the lungs.
Change in Lung Sounds
When listening to lungs with a stethoscope, the pneumonia can cause decreased breath sounds in the area of the pneumonia, or it may cause fine crackles. Crackles are rattling sounds heard over the lungs when the patient breathes in and out.
Chest Pain
Patients with pneumonia will often complain of chest pain when taking deep breaths. The chest pain is caused because of inflammation of the pleura, which is the lining of the pleural cavity that surrounds the lungs. As the patient breathes in and out, the pleura is irritated and causes the pain. In an attempt to alleviate the pain, patients may breathe shallower and faster to get enough oxygen without increasing the pain.
Shortness of Breath
Pneumonia can cause the patient to feel short of breath. Depending on the size of the pneumonia, the lungs may not be getting the amount of oxygen needed. The patient may try to breathe faster and harder to get the oxygen in, but this becomes tiring, and the patient will begin to feel short of breath.
Atypical Symptoms
"Clinical Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine" states that the diagnosis of pneumonia in elderly and nursing home patients requires a high index of suspicion, because they often have nonspecific complaints, often in the absence of fever, cough or shortness of breath. Confusion may also be present in elderly patients who have pneumonia.
References
- "Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nursing;" Saunders Elsevier; 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Pneumonia-Symptoms
- "Clinical Diagnosis & Treatment Emergency Medicine;" McGraw Hill; 2008
