” Generally, if your immune system is already weakened, even you’re stressed, no sleeping also, or have other health problems, it’s more likely that the virus may advance to pneumonia”, said Dr Andrew Fang, a family practitioner with Doctor Everywhere.
He claimed that pneumonia symptoms could develop in a relatively healthy adult in a few days to a week.
Despite its high occurrence, “pneumonia is not always fatal”, said Dr Lim. ” In severe cases where hospitalisation is required, mortality can be up to 20 per cent. A higher mortality rate of up to 40 % is found in cases that require ICU care.
CAN A COLD ALSO PROGRESS TO PNEUMONIA?
” While this scenario is less common, a cold ( which is also caused by a virus ) can sometimes progress to pneumonia”, said Dr Fang. ” A cold is a milder infection than the flu, but it can still weaken your defenses. Other bacteria that are present might also take advantage of the weakened state and infect the lungs.
According to Dr. Lim, this is the reason why people with weakened immune systems, such as those taking immunosuppressive medications, are at risk for pneumonia as well as those with chronic medical conditions like heart disease and kidney disease.
WHAT ARE PNEUMONIA’S SYMPTOMS THAT COULD BE MISTAKEN FOR A COLD OR FLU?
” Pneumonia can mimic a cold or flu with cough, fever and body aches”, said Dr Fang, who advised looking out for pneumonia through the following symptoms. If you have one or more of them, see a general practitioner as soon as possible, he said.