For adults

Pneumonia in adults can present very differently and have different causes. We distinguish between pneumonia acquired on an outpatient basis (in the everyday environment) and nosocomially (in hospital). Pneumonia acquired on an outpatient basis is typically characterized by a sudden onset of the disease with a pronounced feeling of illness.

It is characterized by chills, high fever and pain when breathing, which are caused by an accompanying pleuritis – an inflammation of the pleura. A productive cough is also typical. This is a cough with yellowish green sputum.

Herpes of the lips is also often accompanied by coughing. By definition, hospital pneumonia occurs at the earliest 48-72 hours after admission to hospital. These pneumonias are usually caused by atypical germs, which is why their course of disease can vary greatly.

If a patient in hospital notices a change or worsening of his or her condition, fever or general exhaustion, this should always be reported to the nursing staff and doctors, as they will immediately arrange for further diagnostic measures. Children are particularly susceptible to pneumonia, as they are more susceptible to pathogens than healthy adults. Adequate therapy is then necessary to prevent severe courses of the disease in premature babies, infants and of course also in toddlers and older children.

Especially in infants, severe courses of disease are feared to be caused by RSV viruses. Infants then show high fever, difficult breathing, cyanosis (a blue coloration of the lips and skin) and coughing. A therapy must then be initiated.

In slightly older children, bacterial infections are more common, which cause pneumonia. But fungal infections and other pathogens can also be the cause.In general, infants and toddlers should pay attention to the following symptoms: High fever and chills, chest and abdominal pain, bloated abdomen, cough, nasal wings (erection of the nostrils when inhaled), shortness of breath with rapid and shallow breathing and an accelerated pulse. When coughing, pay attention to the following: Older children are able to cough up their phlegm.

However, babies cannot do this because they lack the strength to do so. They then swallow the mucus again, which can lead to nausea and vomiting. The cough is dry at first and then becomes slimy.

You can see a yellowish to reddish sputum. In older children the symptoms of flu are very similar. Here, too, courses of mild to high fever, productive but also dry cough and a general feeling of illness can occur.

Special attention should be paid to children with lung diseases and diseases with an immune deficiency. In these children, atypical courses of disease are more frequent, e.g. caused by fungal infections. Other pathogens are of course also possible. In general, these children are more frequently affected by pneumonia. The course of the disease can be very unspecific with headaches and aching limbs, dry cough and slight fever.