What are common symptoms of pneumonia that develop over a few days?

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus, leading to various symptoms. The common symptoms associated with pneumonia typically include weakness, a productive cough that produces phlegm, fever, and chest pain. These symptoms develop as the body responds to the infection.

Weakness is often present due to the energy-consuming response of the immune system to the infection. A productive cough is a hallmark of pneumonia, indicating the presence of mucus in the lungs that is being expelled. Fever is another critical symptom as it is part of the body’s natural defense mechanism and reflects the systemic response to infection. Chest pain is frequently experienced due to inflammation of the pleura, the tissue surrounding the lungs, which can become irritated with coughing.

Other answer choices include symptoms that are not commonly associated with pneumonia. Options involving palpitations or high blood pressure do not directly relate to the typical clinical picture of pneumonia. Additionally, while a dry cough and wheezing can occur in certain pulmonary conditions, they do not represent the most common symptoms observed in pneumonia, where a productive cough is expected as the lungs attempt to clear infection and secretions.