Most people who develop pneumonia initially have a viral infection such as a cold or flu, which produces symptoms such as headache, muscle aches and fever. If pneumonia develops, symptoms commonly include:-

• High fever
• Chills
• Shortness of breath
• Increased breathing rate
• A worsening cough that may produce discoloured or bloody sputum (phlegm)
• Sharp chest pains – caused by inflammation of the membrane that lines the lungs.

Viral pneumonia tends to develop slowly over a number of days, whereas bacterial pneumonia usually develops quickly, often over a day. Pneumonia can be fatal in up to 30% of severe cases that are managed in the intensive-care setting.