Pneumonia: With the exception of being a heavy smoker I'm a fit 32-year-old but have developed pneumonia. Isn't this something older people get?
Pneumonia can be caused by many different types of germs including viruses and bacteria. It can strike at any age but is more serious and more common in the very young, very old, people who smoke or in those whose immune system is under strain due to another illness.
Germs that cause pneumonia can be caught from others or can be present in our own bodies, harmless until our immune system comes under stress.
Initially I felt a bit unwell, shivery and lost my appetite. Later I developed a cough and started to spit up phlegm but I thought it was flu.
Some of the symptoms you describe are common to both pneumonia and influenza. Feeling ill, developing shivers or a fever and loss of appetite are often experienced by those with pneumonia. Nausea, cough with dirty sputum and shortness of breath are also common. There may also be a feeling of tightness or soreness in the chest when trying to breathe. Mild to moderate cases of pneumonia are usually treated at home with antibiotics when the cause is bacterial. Bed rest, high fluid intake and painkillers are also indicated. For more severe forms of the illness, hospitalisation may be required for treatment with intravenous antibiotics and physiotherapy.
How long do the effects of pneumonia last?
Complete recovery can take several weeks. Because your body uses a lot of energy to fight the infection it can leave you feeling lethargic for some time after the initial attack. Your body needs time to recover, so don't rush to get back to your active lifestyle too early. And most important of all, keep off the fags!