Symptoms & Signs
- Chills
- Clammy skin
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headache
- Joint stiffness
- Muscle stiffness and aching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
Diagnosis & Tests
Persons with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation, including a thorough physical exam and a chest x-ray — especially since the physical exam may not always distinguish pneumonia from acute bronchitis or other respiratory infections.
Depending on the severity of illness, additional studies may be done, include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Blood cultures
- Blood tests for antibodies to specific viruses
- Bronchoscopy
- Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources)
- Sputum culture
Pictures & Images
Lungs
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Viral pneumonia: Overview, Causes
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Viral pneumonia: Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Viral pneumonia: Treatment
Review Date : 9/24/2008
Reviewed By : Benjamin Medoff, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Pulmonary and Critical Care Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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