Pneumonia - causes, symptoms and treatments

What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. The infection is usually caused by bacteria or a virus.

The infection causes inflammation (swelling) in your lungs. The air sacs in your lungs can fill up with fluid, making it harder for you to breathe.

Pneumonia can be a mild illness, or it can be much more serious. Pneumonia can be life-threatening, especially for:

• babies 12 months and under
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• people older than 70 years

If you are recovering well from a cold or flu that then becomes worse, it may be pneumonia.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are:

• fever — a temperature of 38℃ or higher
• cough — which can be dry or may produce thick mucus
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• rapid breathing
• feeling generally tired and unwell
• loss of appetite

When should I see my doctor?

If you are having difficulty breathing, go to your nearest Emergency Department or call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

If you suspect that you have pneumonia, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.