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A member asked:
How are having a flu and having pneumonia different?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Specific/general: Flu or influenza is a specific virus which affects the lungs and airways. Pneumonia is a syndrome of an infection in the airsacks of the lung and may be caused by various bacteria, viruses, or even chemicals (aspiraton).
Answered 4/7/2013
5.2k views
Symptoms: Pneumonia can be bacterial or viral but flu by definition is viral. With flu you will have muscle aches, pain, perhaps fever and chills. You will need antiviral if you test positive and usually antibiotic empirically. You will not see inflitrate on x-ray. With pneumonia, you will see infiltrate on xray. You may have fever, cough, but not always chills or muscle aches. You may need IV antibiotics.
Answered 6/10/2014
5.2k views
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