Bacterial pneumonia history and symptoms: Difference between revisions
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Detailed information pertaining to a patient's history may greatly assist in determining the underlying cause of pneumonia. Some common symptoms seen in a majority of patients include cough, fever, and a pleuritic chest pain. Specific signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, hyponatremia, and anemia may increase the suspiciousness of specific causative organisms. It is also important to inquire about risk factors and comorbidities as they can provide important information regarding the bacterial infection. | Detailed information pertaining to a patient's history may greatly assist in determining the underlying cause of pneumonia. Some common symptoms seen in a majority of patients include cough, fever, and a pleuritic chest pain. Specific signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, hyponatremia, and anemia may increase the suspiciousness of specific causative organisms. It is also important to inquire about risk factors and comorbidities as they can provide important information regarding the bacterial infection. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
In order to understand the underlying cause of pneumonia, it is imperative that health care providers to assess a patient's [[Bacterial pneumonia risk factors|risk factors]], as well as comorbidities and any conditions that may provide further information. Affected individuals should be inquired regarding: | |||
*Duration of symptoms | *Duration of symptoms | ||
Revision as of 03:26, 13 January 2022
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Arooj Naz
Overview
Detailed information pertaining to a patient's history may greatly assist in determining the underlying cause of pneumonia. Some common symptoms seen in a majority of patients include cough, fever, and a pleuritic chest pain. Specific signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, hyponatremia, and anemia may increase the suspiciousness of specific causative organisms. It is also important to inquire about risk factors and comorbidities as they can provide important information regarding the bacterial infection.
History
In order to understand the underlying cause of pneumonia, it is imperative that health care providers to assess a patient's risk factors, as well as comorbidities and any conditions that may provide further information. Affected individuals should be inquired regarding:
- Duration of symptoms
- Presence of cough
- Dry
- Productive (Inquire about the amount and colour)
- Productive cough may be indicative of:[1]
- Currant Jelly sputum: Klebsiella
- Rust coloured sputum: Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Green sputum: Hemophilus, Pseudomonas
- Foul smelling/ bad-tasting sputum: Anaerobes
- Productive cough may be indicative of:[1]
- Hemoptysis
- Details pertaining to fever
- Temperature
- Duration
- Pattern
- Presence or absence of any chills
- Associated chest pain
It may also be helpful to inquire about certain exposures:[1]
- Exposure to air-conditioning or water coolers and tanks (may indicate a Legionella pneumonia infection)
- Time spent in crowded locations such as homeless shelters, jails and prisons (may indicate a Streptococcus pneumonia, Mycobacteria, Mycoplasma, or Chlamydia infection)
- Animal Exposure (eg, Chlamydia psittaci is found in individuals with exposure to birds)
- Recent sick contacts
Symptoms
Common Symptoms
- Fever
- Chills
- Productive cough
- Dyspnea
- Chest pain (pleuritic)
- Weight loss
Elderly patients may experience:
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Altered mental status
- Dyspepsia
- Absence of fever
Uncommon Symptoms
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Myalgia
- Arthralgia
- Diarrhea and hyponatremia (indicative of Legionella)
- Anemia and jaundice (hemolytic anemia) (indicative of Mycoplasma)