Symptoms of Pneumonia
February 15, 2009 by Open Article Submission
Filed under Health and Fitness
Pneumonia is defined as the inflammation of the lungs. This situation is usually caused by bacteria, virus or fungi. Most likely, these enumerated causes of pneumonia is contracted through air. In some cases, those who already have an existing health problems is susceptible to pneumonia since bacteria coming from other parts of the body can go to the lungs and there cause the inflammation of them. This is the reason why those confined in the hospital for a long time can get pneumonia because germs and other bacteria in concerned body organs has traveled into the lungs.
Getting pneumonia can happen fast and symptoms can easily surface depending on how much of the lungs are affected. Nevertheless, there are common symptoms of this affliction which health-conscious individual should know. Knowing the symptoms of the illness will avoid undesirable result and further damage to the lungs.
Here are several symptoms of pneumonia one should watch out.
Pain in the Chest – There is usually pain at the side of the chest thus making breathing and coughing uncomfortable. This symptom can be attributed to the inflammation of the lungs , particularly the air sacs. Another cause of this is the narrowing of the fine tube of the lungs, which is caused by the proliferation of bacteria.
Shortness of Breath – If there is inflammation of the lungs, there will shortness in one’s breath. The lungs can no longer function normally because air sacs are swollen.
Coughing – During the first stages of the infection, the cough may be dry. This may even be considered as normal and ordinary cough but as the inflammation of the lungs progressed the cough may include yellow-green phlegm or even blood.
Fever – Since pneumonia is infection of the lungs, suffering from fever and chill is expected. The immune system of the body is fighting the infection and the body is reacting to it to no avail.
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