Pneumonia: You can get this in numerous ways, most commonly by aspiration of bacteria from the upper respiratory tract, with the risk increased in smokers, immunosuppressed persons, diabetics, people with underlying lung disease, etc. Symptoms include fever, chest pain, shortness of air, production of coughed sputum looking like pus, sometimes with blood. Other symptoms may also occur.
Answered 3/2/2013
5.6k views
Bad luck: This is often a sequence of events like dominos falling in line. You develop some congestion from a mild virus or other trigger. You inhale a germ that plants itself into the excess mucous and starts to reproduce. The germ growth triggers an outpouring of more mucous which feeds more germs & you've got it. Rapid breathing, fever, cough and chest pain are common features.
Answered 11/25/2017
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