Features of pneumonia in specific groups of patients

Young adults:

• often exhibit the classic acute symptoms
• occasionally, a lower lobe infection may irritate the diaphragmatic surface so that upper abdominal pain, referred to the shoulder; eructation and hiccups may be added to the clinical picture

Elderly or severely ill:

• may have little cough and scant sputum production
• there may be few respiratory symptoms
• fever may be absent

Hospitalised or immunocompromised patients:

• the initial manifestations may be limited to:
  • fever
  • tachypnoea
  • agitation or altered mental function due to changes in oxygenation