With all of the rain and unusual cold spells, pneumonia is a risk to many Colorado residents.
What causes pneumonia?
Germs called bacteria or viruses usually cause pneumonia.
Pneumonia usually starts when you breathe the germs into your lungs. You may be more likely to get the disease after having a cold or the flu. These illnesses make it hard for your lungs to fight infection, so it is easier to get pneumonia. Having a long-term, or chronic, disease like asthma, heart disease, cancer, or diabetes also makes you more likely to get pneumonia.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of pneumonia caused by bacteria usually come on quickly.
They may include:
Cough. You will likely cough up mucus (sputum) from your lungs. Mucus may be rusty or green or tinged with blood.
Fever.
Fast breathing and feeling short of breath.
Shaking and “teeth-chattering” chills.
Chest pain that often feels worse when you cough or breathe in.
Fast heartbeat.
Feeling very tired or very weak.
Nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea.
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