How are common coughs and pneumonia coughs different?
According to Dr. Harshil Alwani, a respiratory specialist at CK Birla Hospital (Jaipur, India), cough is one of the most common reasons why patients go to the doctor, but not every cough is related to pneumonia.
Dr. Harshil Alwani added: "Coughs caused by colds, viral infections, or allergies usually subside within 7–10 days. Patients may experience nasal congestion, mild sore throat, or mild phlegm coughs, but the level of discomfort will decrease over time.
Conversely, coughs caused by pneumonia are often prolonged and increasingly severe, accompanied by yellow or green phlegm, fever, chills, chest pain when breathing and shortness of breath. In the elderly, signs such as abnormal fatigue, rapid breathing or confusion are dangerous warnings that require immediate medical intervention.
Who is at high risk of pneumonia?
Experts say pneumonia is more common in:
Children and the elderly
Smokers
People with lung disease, chronic heart disease or immunodeficiency
In addition, air pollution, sudden weather changes and poor ventilation in the living environment also make lungs more susceptible to infection.
Symptoms and how to detect pneumonia
Pneumonia does not always manifest clearly. In the elderly or people with underlying diseases such as diabetes, heart disease or immunodeficiency, the disease can progress silently with signs such as energy loss, loss of appetite or mild shortness of breath, easily overlooked.
According to Dr. Alwani, chest X-rays are still a simple and reliable method for diagnosing pneumonia. In cases where a more detailed assessment is needed, CT scans may be indicated. Blood tests such as CRP or procalcitonin help identify the cause of bacterial or viral infection, thereby choosing appropriate treatment.
How to prevent and treat pneumonia effectively?
According to Dr. Raja Dhar, Director of the Department of Lungs, CMRI Hospital (Kolkata, India), pneumonia is particularly dangerous because it can initially resemble a common cold but quickly progress to respiratory failure if not detected early.
To prevent pneumonia, experts recommend:
Drink enough water
Eat nutritious food
Reasonable rest
Maintain a healthy living environment, avoid cigarette smoke
Dr. Alwani emphasized: "If coughing lasts for more than a week, tends to worsen or accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, patients should go for an early check-up instead of waiting". Timely detection and treatment can save patients' lives. However, antibiotic abuse can lead to drug resistance, reducing treatment effectiveness in the future.
Notes
Common coughs caused by colds or allergies usually subside within 7–10 days. Conversely, coughs caused by pneumonia tend to be prolonged, gradually worsen and accompanied by many systemic symptoms. Therefore, when coughs do not subside, are accompanied by fever or shortness of breath, patients need to go to a medical facility for timely examination.
