Lobar Pneumonia at 10x Magnification

An acute upper respiratory infection or cold often precedes the onset of pneumococcal lobar pneumonia. The symptoms that develop and the extent of their severity depend on the age and general health of the individual affected as well as a number of other factors, but often include a cough (dry or producing phlegm or blood), fever, fatigue, chills, shaking, and painful, labored breathing. Nausea, vomiting, and painful or tender muscles also sometimes occur. Many cases of pneumonia necessitate the patient’s hospitalization, but sometimes individuals are able to be treated simply by a general practitioner or never even realize they have an infection. In the latter instances, the disease is often referred to as walking pneumonia, since it does not cause incapacitation.