According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term "flu" is used to describe infection

from a number
of different viruses, including influenza A, influenza B and H1N1. Pneumonia, by contrast, refers to a lung infection and
inflammation from any cause. Many different kinds of bacteria, fungi and viruses can cause pneumonia, including flu.
Classic Flu Symptoms
According to the CDC, the classic symptoms of flu include fever, headache, muscle pain, dry cough, sore throat, runny nose and
nasal congestion. In up to 40 percent of cases of "swine flu," or H1N1 flu, diarrhea, vomiting or both are also present.
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Classic Pneumonia Symptoms
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), classic symptoms of pneumonia include cough, fever, shaking chills, pain
with breathing or coughing, shortness of breath, loss of appetite and fatigue. These symptoms may be mild or severe. For
example, temperature may be slightly above normal or very high. Shortness of breath may occur only upon exertion, such as
climbing stairs, or it may be present even at rest. People with chronic cardiac and respiratory disease may always exhibit some of
these symptoms. With pneumonia, they will be much worse.
Symptoms of Pneumonia Caused by Flu
According to the NIH, the flu virus is the most common cause of viral pneumonia in adults. Patients with pneumonia caused by
flu will exhibit all of the symptoms described above. However, while bacterial pneumonias usually result in "productive"
coughing, with yellow or green mucus, the cough associated with influenza is usually dry or may be associated with small
amounts of blood in severe cases. Infants, the elderly and people with medical problems--especially pre-existing respiratory
diseases--may be at special risk for developing pneumonia due to flu.
Secondary Bacterial Pneumonia
Bacterial pneumonia may be more likely to develop after cold or flu. One variety, called secondary bacterial pneumonia, usually
affects only one lobe, or section, of the lung. The patient will usually have a history of recent illnesses with cold or flu. Patients
who are hospitalized tend to develop infections with different kinds of bacteria than those who are not, so a doctor or other health
care provider will usually ask about this.
Other Kinds of Bacterial Pneumonia
According to the NIH, bacterial pneumonia is the most common cause of pneumonia overall, accounting for over 4 million cases
each year. Most cases in the United States are due to infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus.
Pneumonia is most common during winter. All people with bacterial pneumonia need to be treated with antibiotics; about 1-in-5
patients need to be treated in the hospital.
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References
CDC: Diagnosis of Flu
CDC: Flu Symptoms
National Institutes of Health: Pneumonia Information
Article reviewed by OmahaTyppo Last updated on: Mar 11, 2011


Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/71469-flu-symptoms-vs.-pneumonia-symptoms/#ixzz25oD1j5S3






What is pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a 'catch-all' term for an infection of the lung. This is a very old term - in reality,
pneumonia is a collection of diseases that may be caused by viruses, bacteria, and even fungi.
In general, pneumonia is more likely to occur during winter months. This is because respiratory
illnesses caused by viruses increase in the winter, and they can directly cause a viral pneumonia or
damage the airways and allow a bacterial pneumonia to develop.
Who gets pneumonia?
Pneumonia is a very common illness, and any person can develop it. People at higher risk include the
elderly, the very young, and those with underlying health problems, such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, congestive heart failure, sickle cell anemia, or conditions that
impair the immune system, such as AIDS, cancer therapy, or organ transplantation. Pneumonia may
also be more likely following some kinds of lung injury - for example, after lungs have been damaged
from breathing in chemicals.
What causes pneumonia?
Some organisms (germs) that cause pneumonia may be spread through the air, by direct contact with
an infected person, or on contaminated objects. Some causes of pneumonia can be from
environmental sources and are spread in dust or other fine particles (e.g., water vapor). Some lung
infections are not due to person-to-person transmission - for example, a person who loses control of
breathing (e.g., during a seizure or while intoxicated) could vomit and then inhale stomach contents
and bacteria into the lungs and develop pneumonia.
What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include cough (usually with sputum/phlegm), fever, shaking
chills, shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle aches, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, and a rapid
pulse. A physical exam and tests [chest x-ray, sputum and/or blood test, influenza test, etc.] may
help healthcare providers make a diagnosis of pneumonia.
How soon after exposure do symptoms appear?
Pneumonia symptoms may appear days to weeks (even years) after exposure, depending on the
organism that causes the disease.
For how long can an infected person transmit pneumonia?
Most people who are exposed to the germs that can cause pneumonia either do not become ill or
develop only mild respiratory illness; fewer experience pneumonia. How long a person can spread a
respiratory germ to someone else varies by the type of organism and the treatment that the person
receives.
Do people with pneumonia need to be excluded from work or school?
People with most kinds of pneumonia should rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take medications as
directed by their doctor, but may return to work or school when they feel able. For some causes of
pneumonia (e.g., influenza, tuberculosis) individuals may need to be isolated until they are no longer
contagious. People with pneumonia should consult their doctor for guidance.
What is the treatment for pneumonia?
For most types of viral pneumonia, patients usually heal on their own. However, it can be hard for a
doctor to determine if the pneumonia is caused by bacteria or a virus, and therefore antibiotics are
often used. Mild cases of pneumonia can often be treated with oral antibiotics, rest, pain/fever
medication, and fluids. Severe pneumonia may require hospitalization to provide fluids, intravenous
(IV) antibiotics and other medications, breathing treatments, oxygen, or even ventilator support, as
well as help in managing any underlying health problems (e.g., diabetes, COPD). Sometimes
pneumonia leads to death; risk of death depends on the organism causing the pneumonia, treatment
received, and the person's underlying health status.
How can pneumonia be prevented?
Actions that may be taken to prevent pneumonia include:
Covering your cough and washing your hands or using
alcohol-based hand sanitizer to reduce the spread of
organisms that can cause illness. This is called practicing
good respiratory etiquette.
Staying home from work/school when ill
Receiving all the recommended vaccines (e.g., influenza,
pneumococcal, H. influenzae type b, measles,
varicella/chickenpox)
Following doctors' recommendations to most effectively
manage health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, HIV,
emphysema, etc.)
Avoiding tobacco smoke and excess alcohol use, both of
which can decrease resistance to infection
Practicing good dental hygiene (severe gum disease may
increase the risk of pneumonia)
If you believe that you have pneumonia, see a healthcare professional.




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