How do i know if i ve got pneumonia?

Are you feeling under the weather? Not sure what’s wrong with you, but certain that it’s not just a common cold or flu? It’s possible that you may have contracted pneumonia. Don’t worry, though – while pneumonia can be dangerous if left untreated, most people with healthy immune systems are able to recover fully from this condition. Here is your guide on how to determine if you have pneumonia (and when it might be time to see a doctor).

What Is Pneumonia?

First things first – let’s break down exactly what we mean by “pneumonia.” Essentially, this term refers to an infection of one or both lungs. This can occur as a result of either bacteria or viruses entering the lungs and causing them to become inflamed and filled up with fluid.

As for why someone might contract pneumonia in the first place…well, there are several factors at play here. Smoking, having a weakened immune system (such as after chemotherapy), being elderly/more vulnerable due other conditions such as chronic respiratory diseases including COPD/asthma/hypertension/diabetes/sickle cell disease/cancer/malnutrition/obesity amongst others) these last ones are facts so I didn’t include star highlights), asthma/Mycoplasma infections/”walking” dead virus…. There seems no end/endless ways!

Symptoms of Pneumonia

So now we know WHAT pneumonia is. But how do we determine whether our own lung issue is simply bronchitis…or something more serious like pnuemonia? Here’s some indicators:

  1. Fever/chills: With any kind of bacterial infection comes feverish heat; especially accompanied by shaking chills so make sure not just frigid cold downstairs
  2. Difficulty breathing: Whatever lasts more than couple weeks/days reeks of trouble. This often starts as difficulty catching your breath, even during mild activities/up less than normal/’just going for a walk’ (not extreme exercise/activity) that knock you out – this is easily noticeable.
  3. Cough: A dry or productive cough with green, yellow or bloody sputum may indeed not be any good news
  4. Fatigue: The worst feeling when it lingers on and on like cheese odor in the air that just refuses to go away). Inflammation and fluid buildup can cause fatigue all its own, but battling these symptoms also takes valuable energy from our bodies which we’d rather use elsewhere.
  5. Chest pain/tightness: Breathing difficulties? Check! Nasty cough? Check! And oh yes,. Now there’s chest pain reminiscent of those deep set burps after a whole night binge-watching Netflix.

A few more things to note: other flu-like symptoms including headache/muscle/joint pains are common /there might also be accompanying nausea/vomiting/loss-of-appetite .

Diagnosing Pneumonia

Of course, part of what makes pneumonia scary is the fact that many different indicators could point to this condition aside from just the above mentioned pointers; so even if all signs seem obvious/well-pronounced please do consider seeing actual medical professional ASAP.Sorry doc Google doesn’t count.

That said”…If” no such severe indications exist, time for some self reflection before booking up an appointment at GP’s who already have plenty patients…A primary care doctor will likely listen to your lungs with a stethoscope while asking questions about duration/severity/frequency/type/color/smell (kidding)/of coughing fits/difficulty breathing/etc., making notes along the way.Then analysis once specimens sent over/hooked onto EKG etc./ would still confirm whether your gut was right or not to suspect pneumonia when attempting to self diagnose.

Treating Pneumonia

Assuming you’ve caught it in time or even better, were just being paranoid; there are few easy routines to recuperate from a mild/moderate case of lower respiratory tract infection – treatemeants including:

  1. Taking antibiotics: You must complete the dosage as per prescription until clinically recommended completed otherwise, bacteria may return with a vengeance and really do take over.
  2. Resting up.. Push those yoga classes another week/reading books more…
  3. Staying hydrated (it’s our usual reason for being ill/not enough water).
  4. Breathing support- inhalers/nebulizers=rescue breaths/cough expectorants etc.- These can be quite helpful because they essentially help loosen congestion without any side-effects of general dehydration etc

Preventing Pneumonia

As is always said as “prevention is better than cure”, say here too especially if that means potentially life saving tips:

  1. Practice good hygiene: Wash your hands regularly especially after returning from outside/public transport/stores/restaurants/public places/people
    2.Quit smoking!: And I’m sure this won’t be first time reading it
    3.Get vaccinated : Either suggested by physicians or available at pharmacies all around town
    4.Live healthily: By exercising/eating healthy/denlining towards prompt medical consultations whilst monitoring your day-to-day well-being.

In conclusion, the best course of action if concerned about having contracted pneumonia would still remain just visiting/talking with an actual doctor who could confirm anything past an idea in one’s head; so don’t stress yourself out but make smart decisions =).

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