How do I know if I have pneumonia or the flu?
“Because pneumonia is a lung infection, it typically has more respiratory symptoms, while the flu is accompanied by muscular aches and pains and fatigue,” she explains. The flu usually comes on suddenly, while pneumonia takes longer to develop and can be a complication from the flu.
What is the difference between pneumonia and influenza?
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious viral infection that is one of the most severe illnesses of the winter season. Influenza is spread easily from person to person, usually when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Pneumonia is a serious infection or inflammation of the lungs.
Which is worse pneumonia or flu?
In the spectrum of respiratory illnesses, the flu is generally worse than the common cold. Pneumonia, meanwhile, can be more serious than both, especially for young children and the elderly. In order to identify what is ailing you or a loved one, it’s best to evaluate each individual symptom you’re experiencing.
What are the 4 stages of pneumonia symptoms?
Stages of Pneumonia
- Stage 1: Congestion. During the congestion phase, the lungs become very heavy and congested due to infectious fluid that has accumulated in the air sacs. …
- Stage 2: Red hepatization. …
- Stage 3: Gray hepatization. …
- Stage 4: Resolution.
What Walking pneumonia feels like?
Walking pneumonia can still make you miserable, with cough, fever, chest pain, mild chills, headache, etc. It feels more akin to a bad cold, and despite what the term “walking” implies, taking care of yourself is the best path to recovery.
What Antibiotics treat pneumonia?
Healthy adults under 65 years with pneumonia are typically treated with a combination of amoxicillin plus a macrolide like Zithromax (azithromycin) or sometimes a tetracycline like Vibramycin (doxycycline).
How do you know if you’ve got pneumonia?
Common symptoms of pneumonia include: a cough – which may be dry, or produce thick yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus (phlegm) difficulty breathing – your breathing may be rapid and shallow, and you may feel breathless, even when resting. rapid heartbeat.
Can pneumonia resolve itself?
Official Answer. Yes, pneumonia can go away on its own, but only when it is considered mild. Walking pneumonia refers to a case of pneumonia that is so mild that you can go about day-to-day activities throughout the course of the illness.