There are five main causes of pneumonia: bacteria, viruses, mycoplasmas, fungus, and various chemicals. It is a very common complication of a respiratory infection, these are some of the symptoms:
- Cough
- Fever
- Shaking chills
- Shortness of breath
- Sharp or stabbing chest pain
- Headache
- Excessive sweating and clammy skin
- Loss of appetite
- Low energy
- Fatigue
Anyone can get pneumonia, but there are risk factors that can increase your chances. Things like smoking, the flu, chronic lung disease, or chronic diseases like heart disease or diabetes, living in a nursing home, recent surgery, and having a weak immune system.
Fortunately pneumonia is preventable and doing simple things like getting a flu shot every year not only helps you prevent the flu, but also preventing pneumonia. Washing your hands often, especially after using the restroom, and before eating and preparing foods and practicing good health habits, like eating right, sleeping 8 hours and doing exercise also helps keeps your body strong.
The most common way people get pneumonia is from a cold they don’t treat. This is why it’s very important that if you have a cold or cough that won’t go away, you visit your doctor. The longer you let it affect your health, the higher the chances of you developing pneumonia. Pneumonia could be fatal if not treated immediately.
