When Does A Cough Turn Serious? How To Spot Pneumonia Before It Gets Severe

Cough is one of the most common reasons people visit a doctor. However, not every cough is a cause for panic and not every cough is pneumonia. Dr. Harshil Alwani, Consultant, Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, says that most coughs that follow a viral infection, allergy, or common cold usually fade within a week or ten days. These often come with mild throat irritation or a stuffy nose and these tend to improve with rest.Pneumonia, on the other hand, is a completely different thing. The cough becomes harsher, more painful and often brings up thick yellow or green sputum. Fever, chills, chest pain, and breathlessness are telltale signs that something deeper is going on. In severe cases, people may also experience fatigue, confusion, or rapid

breathing.For the unversed, Pneumonia is a lung infection in which the tiny air-sacs (alveoli) become inflamed and fill with fluid or pus, making breathing harder and reducing oxygen intake. In children under 5 especially, the immune system is still developing and lungs are smaller, so they’re more vulnerable to bacteria, viruses or fungi.What makes pneumonia particularly tricky, says Dr. Alwani, is that it doesn’t always appear with dramatic symptoms. "In elderly individuals, or those with diabetes, heart disease, or weak immunity, pneumonia can present very quietly, sometimes just as low energy, loss of appetite, or mild breathlessness,” he explains. “That’s why subtle changes shouldn’t be ignored.”To detect pneumonia timely, a chest X-ray is the simplest and most reliable way. In unclear cases, a CT scan can provide a clearer picture, while blood tests like CRP or procalcitonin help determine whether the infection is bacterial (which may require antibiotics) or viral (where supportive care is enough).

Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Here are key symptoms you should not ignore:

• Persistent cough: A cough that lasts several days, worsens or brings up phlegm may indicate lung involvement rather than a simple cold.
• Breathing problems: Rapid breathing, visible effort (e.g., nostrils flaring, chest pulling in) are strong red flags.
• Fever and chills: A high fever that does not subside or keeps recurring suggests infection deeper down in the lungs.
• Weakness or tiredness: If your child is unusually lethargic, irritable or less active, it could reflect the body fighting a serious infection.
• Bluish lips or fingertips: This is a critical warning of low oxygen; immediate medical attention is needed.