Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria in otherwise healthy people (younger than 65) usually come on suddenly. They often start during or after an upper respiratory infection, such as influenza or a cold, and may include:
• Cough, often producing mucus (sputum) from the lungs. Mucus may be rusty or green or tinged with blood.
• Fever which may be less common in older adults.
• Shaking, "teeth-chattering" chills (one time only or many times).
• Fast, often shallow, breathing and the feeling of being short of breath.
• Chest wall pain that is often made worse by coughing or breathing in.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Feeling very tired (fatigue) or feeling very weak (malaise).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Diarrhea
Clinical signs of pneumonia are characteristic and are referred to clinically as consolidation :
• Expansion : reduced on the affected side
• Vocal fremitus : increased on the affected side (in other chest disease this sign is of very little use!)
• Percussion : dull
• Breath sounds : bronchial breath sounds
• Additional sounds : medium, late or pan-inspiratory crackles
• Vocal resonance : increased
• Pleural rub : may be present
No comments:
Post a Comment