Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Viral pneumonia history and symptoms
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Symptoms
Symptoms
Symptoms of viral pneumonia often begin slowly and may not be severe at first. The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:
- Cough (with some pneumonias you may cough up mucus, or even bloody mucus)
- Fever, which may be mild or high
- Shaking chills
- Shortness of breath (may only occur when you climb stairs)
Other symptoms include:
- Confusion, especially in older people
- Excessive sweating and clammy skin
- Headache
- Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue
- Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
- Fatigue
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]