Davidson County
Health Department
HEALTH TO YOU A – Z
INFORMATION SHEET
Pneumonia
What is Pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that affects the air sacs. Pneumonia can affect one or both
lungs. When a person has pneumonia their air sacs fill with fluid or pus instead of air. Persons
that are 2 years and under and people over 65 are most affected with pneumonia.
What are the symptoms of it?
 Fever, sweating, or chills or a lower than normal body temperature (found in persons 65
and older)
 Cough which may produce a thick, sticky mucus
 Chest pain when breathing or when you cough
 Being short of breath even without exertion
 Headache
 Being fatigued, muscle aches
 Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
 Infants may not show any symptoms of infection. Older adults may have mental changes
What are the different types of pneumonia?
 Bacterial – Usually caused by the strep bacteria after a cold or flu.
 Bacterial-like organisms – A milder type of pneumonia sometimes caused by the
Mycoplasma. “Walking pneumonia” is used to describe an illness that is not severe
enough for bed rest or hospitalization.
 Viral – The most common type of pneumonia in children younger than 2 years. Caused
by the same viruses that cause colds and flu. This type is usually mild but can be severe if
caused by certain flu viruses and can lead to SARS (see Health To You A – Z info sheet).
 Fungal – Caused by a fungus found in bird droppings or in soil and usually affects persons
with a low functioning immune system.
 Aspiration – When a person inhales food, drink, saliva, or vomit into the lungs.
How is the pneumonia treated?
A health care provider should always be seen if you suspect pneumonia. The physician may order
a chest x-ray and blood tests done. If pneumonia is caught early, prescribed treatments by the
health care provider can prevent hospitalization. The following may be prescribed by the doctor:
antibiotics (if bacterial), antiviral medications (if viral), over the counter fever reducers, cough
medicine if the health care provider says ok to use. To help heal your lungs from the pneumonia
most health care providers recommend: getting plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids to make the
lung mucus loosen, and take the entire dose of antibiotic or antivirals unless your doctor advised
otherwise.
How can you prevent catching the pneumonia?
 Get a flu shot and get a pneumonia vaccine
 Don’t smoke
How long should my child stay out of school or daycare or me out of work?
Until the health care provider has recommended or 24 hours after fever returns to normal and you
are feeling like you can complete a day’s work or the child can complete the school work.
PO Box 439, Lexington, NC 27293
(336) 242-2300
www.dchdnc.com