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
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