What is a common symptom of pneumonia?

Fever and chills are indeed common symptoms of pneumonia, which is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. This inflammation can result from various infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. When the lungs are infected, the immune response typically includes a rise in body temperature, often accompanied by chills as the body fights off the infection.

In addition to fever and chills, other associated symptoms of pneumonia may include cough (which can be dry or productive), shortness of breath, chest pain, and fatigue. The presence of fever and chills is particularly significant, as it indicates that the body is responding to an infection and can help healthcare professionals differentiate pneumonia from other conditions.

While options like joint pain and abdominal pain can occur in other medical conditions, they are not characteristic symptoms of pneumonia. A dry cough, although possible, is less common compared to a cough that produces phlegm in pneumonia cases. Thus, fever and chills stand out as classic signs of this respiratory illness.