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Your doctor will ask about symptoms and may need to do some tests on your chest.

To find out if you have pneumonia, your doctor will look for:

• A cough that doesn't go away after a few days
• Pain in your chest that gets worse when you breathe in or out.

You may also have a high temperature (a fever) and not recover completely from a cough or cold.

You should be especially aware of the dangers of pneumonia if you or someone in your family:

• Is more than 65 years old
• Is less than 2 years old
• Is a heavy smoker (smoking damages your lungs and this damage makes it more likely that you will get an infection)
• Is a heavy drinker
• Already has a lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema
• Has already had another illness, such as the flu, which could have weakened their immune system and may make it harder for their body to fight off an infection
• Has a long-term (chronic) disease, such as diabetes, heart disease or sickle cell disease
• Has a disease such as AIDS or leukemia
• Takes medicine for an illness like AIDS or cancer (some medicines, such as those given for chemotherapy, can make it harder for your body to fight off an infection)
• Has had an organ transplant.

Usually your doctor will be able to tell if you have pneumonia after:

• Asking you about your symptoms. Your doctor will want to know if you have a high temperature (or fever), if you're short of breath, what kind of cough you have and if your chest hurts
• Doing a physical examination. Your doctor will look at your chest to see if the shape of one side is different from the shape of the other. Your doctor will also tap your chest to see if areas of your lungs are blocked with mucus. And your doctor will listen to your lungs through a stethoscope. If your doctor hears bubbles or crackling noises, this suggests that your lungs are inflamed or blocked.¹

Sometimes if your symptoms are bad, your doctor may also:

• Get a chest X-ray. An X-ray will usually show if there's an infection and how far it's spread
• Order lab tests. Your blood and phlegm may have germs in them that will show up in the laboratory. A blood test can also measure how many white blood cells are in your blood. These cells are part of your immune system. If you have more of these cells than is normal, it may mean your body is fighting an infection.

If you are young and you don't have any obvious health problem to explain why you have pneumonia, your doctor may suggest that you have an HIV test. Being infected with HIV increases your risk of getting pneumonia.^{2 3}

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.