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10 silent signs of pneumonia to look out for

Pneumonia is an infection that can cause inflammation of the air sac in the lungs, either one or both. In pneumonia patients, the air sacs become filled with pus or fluid, leading to fever, chest pain, cough (often with pus or phlegm), and breathing difficulties. While anyone can develop the condition, young children and older adults are more susceptible to it. Learning the silent signs of pneumonia is imperative for timely diagnosis and treatment.

10 silent signs of pneumonia
Typically, the symptoms indicating the development of pneumonia can vary from one person to the other. While it can be mild for some, it can also be severe. Its severity often depends on certain factors, such as the age of the patient, his/her overall health, and the type of pneumonia-causing germ.

Furthermore, in cases of mild pneumonia, the signs can be quite similar to the ones experienced during a cold or flu. However, they may last longer. Therefore, it is essential to watch for the silent signs of pneumonia mentioned below.

Chills
One of the silent signs that can indicate pneumonia is chills. These can be mild in most cases. But sometimes, especially in adults, these chills can also cause one to shake uncontrollably (also known as rigors). Further, it’s important to note that chills may mostly occur in viral pneumonia cases.

Cough
Pneumonia patients can either experience dry coughs or sputum-producing ones. However, it can differ depending on the type. For instance, bacterial pneumonia can induce a sputum filled with blood or pus, while viral pneumonia patients can cough up watery pus-filled sputum. Besides the above-mentioned types, aspiration pneumonia can cause patients to experience the exit of green-colored foul-smelling sputum accompanied by blood or pus.

Fever
Pneumonia patients, especially the ones affected by bacterial pneumonia, can develop symptoms suddenly or gradually. Additionally, these may require professional intervention. One of these silent symptoms is fever, which can be as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, the fever can be accompanied by profuse sweating and a rapid increase in pulse rate and breathing.

Shortness of breath
As mentioned previously, pneumonia patients can experience breathing difficulties. These can be noticed in the form of shortness of breath and can indicate reduced oxygen supply to the bloodstream. One of the main reasons behind this occurrence is the fluid or pus-filled air sacs situated in the lungs, which make it difficult for the oxygen to be mixed with the blood. Further, one must remember that for some patients the shortness of breath can be extreme and they can require treatment or supplemental oxygen.

Chest pain or discomfort
Although chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia, it can be considered one of the hidden signs of the condition. This is because, in most cases, the pain (resembling sharp stabs) can be experienced during the process of breathing or coughing. Moreover, it can get worse when the patient tries to take a deep breath.

Vomiting
Even though vomiting isn’t one of the classic signs of pneumonia, it can be hidden behind and induced by nausea, especially in viral pneumonia. Further, in cases of untreated pneumonia, it can become severe, triggering additional gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea.

Weakness
In the case of viral pneumonia, the symptoms of the condition are likely to develop over several days. Afterward, they can resemble influenza symptoms, such as weakness, muscle pain, headache, and a dry cough. Then, within a couple of days, the signs, such as shortness of breath, cough, and muscle pain, are likely to become more severe in nature. However, the weakness attributed to pneumonia can get better within a month. The patients may be required to drink plenty of water and consume healthy and immunity-boosting foods like apples, pumpkins, and beets to speed their recovery.

Heavy sweating
Generally, when the human body tries to eliminate an infection, it can give way to heavy sweating or clammy skin. This also runs true in the case of pneumonia, where one can experience profuse sweating at night. In such cases, one must consult a doctor at the earliest, as night sweats accompanied by shaking chills can indicate a possible complication of pneumonia, known as lung abscess.

Rapid heartbeat
When the bacteria that caused the development of pneumonia finds its way into the bloodstream, it can trigger a life-threatening full-body infection known as sepsis. When going through the effects of sepsis, the body can show specific symptoms, such as rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, and abdominal pain.
In such cases, seeking immediate attention from a healthcare specialist is imperative, as sepsis is a severe condition that can lead to death in pneumonia patients.

Presence of rust-colored mucus
Most people may not pay much attention to the mucus color during colds and flu. However, when it comes to pneumonia, the mucus or sputum accompanied by the cough can be of different colors – white, yellowish, green-tinged, or rust-colored (blood-stained). In case one finds blood-stained mucus in their coughs, it’s suggested to opt for cough suppressants to manage the discomfort.

Finally, one must remember that over 30 types of pneumonia are broadly grouped by their cause. So, if one comes across any of the above-mentioned silent signs of pneumonia, one must consult a doctor at the earliest. This can pave the way for early diagnosis of the underlying condition and help the professional develop a treatment plan that caters to the patient’s needs. One must note that pneumonia can cause severe lung-related and body infection-related issues. So, the earlier the diagnosis, the more chances of a speedy recovery.

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