Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by a bacterial infection.
Symptoms of pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days.
They include:
- a cough - it may be dry or you may cough up yellow, green or brown mucus (phlegm)
- shortness of breath
- a high temperature
- loss of appetite
- chest pain
- an aching body
- feeling very tired
- wheezing when you breathe - babies may make grunting noises
- feeling confused
Emergency action required: Call 999, 112 or go to your nearest emergency department (ED) if:
- you're having difficulty breathing
- your lips or tongue are blue
- you feel confused
Urgent advice: Contact your GP urgently if:
- you're feeling short of breath
- you have chest pain that gets worse when you breathe in or out
- you've had a cough for 3 weeks or more
- you're coughing up blood
Diagnosing pneumonia
Your GP may be able to diagnose pneumonia by:
- asking about your symptoms
- listening to your chest and back
- taking your temperature
You may need further tests such as a chest x-ray or blood tests.
Treatment for pneumonia
Your GP may prescribe you antibiotics.
Antibiotics will not help you if the pneumonia is caused by a virus. Pneumonia caused by a virus is not usually as serious as pneumonia caused by bacteria.
Treatment for pneumonia depends on how serious your symptoms are.
Mild pneumonia can usually be treated at home by:
- getting plenty of rest
- taking antibiotics
- drinking plenty of fluids
If your pneumonia is serious, you may need to be treated at the hospital.
At hospital, you will usually be given:
- antibiotics
- fluids through a drip
- oxygen to help you breathe
You may be sent for a chest x-ray and blood tests to check if you have pneumonia.
Who can get pneumonia
Anyone can get pneumonia.
You can get pneumonia:
- if you have another infection such as COVID-19 (coronavirus)
- while you're being treated in a hospital
- by something getting into your lungs, such as water or food (aspiration pneumonia)
Higher risk for pneumonia
People at higher risk of getting pneumonia include:
- babies and young children
- older people
- people who smoke
- people with heart, lung, liver, kidney or neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis
- people with a weak immune system
- people with diabetes
If you are at higher risk of getting pneumonia, you should get the:
- pneumococcal vaccine
- flu vaccine each year
Causes of pneumonia
Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial pneumonia is more common.
Viruses are a common cause of pneumonia in young children.
Almost all serious complications of COVID-19 feature pneumonia.
Pneumonia can also be caused by:
- fungal infection - more likely to affect people with a weakened immune system
- breathing in vomit, a foreign object such as a peanut or a harmful substance such as smoke
- using a breathing machine while being treated in hospital
Preventing pneumonia
Good hygiene will prevent germs that can cause pneumonia from spreading.
This includes:
- covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze
- throwing away used tissues as quickly as possible
- washing your hands regularly with water and soap
You can help reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by preventing damage to your lungs.
This includes:
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
