Can pneumonia often cause a fever

Condition analysis:
Hello, most types of pneumonia cause fever, cough with sputum (coughed-up mucus), shortness of breath and fatigue. In older patients, fatigue or confusion can be the only or most noticeable symptom. In viral pneumonia, a dry cough without sputum is more common.

Instructions:
Your doctor first will ask about your symptoms. During the physical exam, your doctor will check to see if you are breathing rapidly. He or she also will look for confusion and a purplish hue in your lips, fingernails or hands because these symptoms can indicate that you have low levels of oxygen in your blood. Using a stethoscope, a health care professional can listen through your back for abnormal sounds from the lungs. The diagnosis of pneumonia most often is confirmed by a chest X-ray.

Life care:
1. Stop Smoking: Smoking is a known lung irritant and will further deprive you of oxygen. Talk to your doctor about the many treatment options that are available to help you stop smoking. Alternative sources of nicotine (such as a patch or gum) can be used to prevent some of the uncomfortable side effects that occur when you stop smoking.

Limit Alcohol Intake: Alcohol abuse can increase the risk of developing pneumonia by lowering the immune resistance.