AnswersDriveIn terms of infectious illnesses, germs make you sick, not cold weather itself. You have to come in contact with rhinoviruses to catch a cold. And you need to be infected with influenza viruses to contract the flu. Rhinoviruses peak in spring and fall, and influenza viruses peak in winter.
Consequently, is it bad to be in cold weather with pneumonia?
Cooler air can, however, exacerbate an existing cough. So if you have a cold or other respiratory infection – such as pneumonia or bronchitis – then being outside in the cold can make you cough. This is why most coughs seem to get worse when the temperature falls after dark.
Do I have pneumonia or a cold?
Viral vs. bacterial – how they differ. People with bacterial pneumonia will often have colored mucus, a fever and chest pain. They should seek medical attention to prevent lung damage. Bacterial pneumonia can sometimes develop after a cold or flu and often is caused by exposure to the streptococcus pneumonia germ.
What are the early signs of pneumonia?
A mild case of bacterial pneumonia, often called walking pneumonia, features symptoms similar to the common cold,7 including:
- Persistent dry cough that often gets worse at night.
- Low-grade fever.
- Shortness of breath.
- Fatigue or tiredness.
- Chest pain that gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough.
- Loss of appetite.