Pneumonia in the Philippines: Symptoms, Treatment & the Pneumonia Vaccine

Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which can fill with fluid or pus. It remains one of the leading causes of hospitalization and death in the Philippines, especially among young children and seniors. Most cases can be treated successfully when they are recognized early.

Common Symptoms in Adults

• Cough, often with yellow, green, or blood-tinged phlegm
• Fever, sweating, and chills
• Shortness of breath or fast breathing, even at rest
• Sharp chest pain when breathing deeply or coughing
• Unusual tiredness and loss of appetite

Seniors May Show Different Signs

Older adults do not always have a high fever or a strong cough. Watch for:

• New confusion or unusual drowsiness
• Weakness, falls, or suddenly being unable to get out of bed
• Not eating or drinking
• A lower-than-normal body temperature

Warning Signs in Babies and Children

In young children, the most important sign is fast or difficult breathing. Count breaths for a full minute while the child is calm. Breathing is considered fast if it is:

• 60 or more breaths per minute in babies younger than 2 months
• 50 or more breaths per minute in babies 2–12 months old
• 40 or more breaths per minute in children 1–5 years old

Also watch for chest indrawing (the lower chest sinks in with each breath), grunting, flaring nostrils, bluish lips, refusing to feed, or unusual sleepiness. These need medical attention right away.

Is It a Cold or Pneumonia?

• A cold usually brings a runny nose, sore throat, and mild cough, and gets better within about a week.
• Pneumonia is more likely if you have a high fever, shortness of breath, chest pain, or if you get better from a cold and then suddenly get worse.

Influenza can also lead to pneumonia, which is one reason the yearly flu vaccine matters.

Go to the ER Immediately If

• Breathing is very difficult, or lips or fingertips turn bluish
• There is confusion, extreme drowsiness, or fainting
• A baby or child has chest indrawing, cannot drink, or is very sleepy
• Chest pain is severe, or a high fever does not come down

How Pneumonia Is Diagnosed

A doctor listens to your lungs and checks your oxygen level with a pulse oximeter. A chest X-ray usually confirms the diagnosis. Blood tests and sputum tests may help find the cause and judge how severe the infection is.

Treatment: Home or Hospital?

• Mild cases in otherwise healthy adults are often treated at home with medicines prescribed by a doctor, rest, and plenty of fluids.
• Hospital admission may be needed for low oxygen levels, seniors, young infants, people with other illnesses such as diabetes, heart, kidney, or lung disease, or anyone who is not improving.

If you are prescribed antibiotics, take the full course exactly as directed, even if you feel better. Do not use leftover antibiotics or buy them without a prescription. Pneumonia caused by viruses does not respond to antibiotics.

PhilHealth provides coverage for pneumonia admissions at accredited hospitals. Ask the hospital's PhilHealth desk about your benefits on admission.

The Pneumonia Vaccine

Pneumococcal vaccines protect against Streptococcus pneumoniae, one of the most common causes of bacterial pneumonia.

• Babies: The pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is part of the DOH routine childhood immunization program and is available at health centers.
• Seniors: Adults aged 60 and above are encouraged to get vaccinated. The DOH and many LGUs offer free pneumococcal vaccines for senior citizens through health centers, subject to supply.
• Adults with chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease, and smokers, should ask their doctor whether they need it.

Private clinics and hospitals also offer pneumococcal vaccines. Prices depend on the vaccine type, so ask your doctor which one is right for you. Many seniors can also claim their senior citizen discount.

How to Lower Your Risk

• Keep up to date with pneumonia and flu vaccines
• Stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke
• Wash hands often and cover coughs and sneezes
• Keep diabetes, asthma, and other chronic conditions well controlled
• Breastfeed babies when possible, and keep children's vaccines on schedule

Which Doctor Should You See?

A family medicine doctor or internist can diagnose and treat most adult cases. A pulmonologist handles severe, recurring, or complicated lung infections, and a pediatrician should check any child with breathing problems. See also our guide to asthma and allergies.

Find a pulmonologist, find a pediatrician, or find an internist near you on MyDoktor.ph.