Understanding pneumonia symptoms and causes

A cough can be a symptom of pneumonia, a lung infection that inflames air sacs and can fill them with fluid or pus, making breathing difficult. Pneumonia symptoms include a productive cough with colored phlegm, fever, breathlessness, and chest pain. It can range from mild to life-threatening and requires prompt medical attention. Pneumonia is often caused by bacteria but can also be viral or fungal. Vulnerable groups like the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.