Can you have a lung infection without a fever?
Emily Ross
Published Jan 12, 2026
Pneumonia is a respiratory infection where the tiny air sacs in your lungs become inflamed and filled with fluid. It can range in severity from mild to life-threatening. Although fever is a common symptom of pneumonia, in some cases you can have pneumonia without a fever.
Can you have a lung infection without a fever or cough?
Is it possible to have pneumonia without having a fever? It's not the norm but, yes, it's possible to have pneumonia with a low fever or even no fever. If this occurs, it's usually in the very young (newborns and infants) and in older adults or adults with a weakened immune system.
What are the symptoms of a lung infection?
If you have a lung infection, here are the most common symptoms to expect:
- Cough that produces thick mucus. Coughing helps to rid your body of the mucus produced from inflammation of the airways and lungs. ...
- Stabbing chest pains. ...
- Fever. ...
- Body aches. ...
- Runny nose. ...
- Shortness of breath. ...
- Fatigue. ...
- Wheezing.
Can you have lung infection without symptoms?
It is possible to have pneumonia without a cough or fever. Symptoms may come on quickly or may worsen slowly over time. Sometimes a person who has a viral upper respiratory infection (cold) will get a new fever and worsening that signals the start of the secondary bacterial infection.
How do I know if I have a bacterial infection in my lungs?
Common symptoms are:
- High fever up to 105 F.
- Coughing out greenish, yellow, or bloody mucus.
- Chills that make you shake.
- Feeling like you can't catch your breath, especially when you move around a lot.
- Feeling very tired.
- Low appetite.
- Sharp or stabby chest pain, especially when you cough or take a deep breath.
- Sweating a lot.
What does lung pain feel like?
Symptoms. Pleurisy, also called pleuritis, is an inflammation of the lining of your lungs and the inside of your chest. It feels like a sharp or burning pain in your chest when breathing in or out. Viral infections are a common cause of pleurisy.
What are three common respiratory infections?
Upper respiratory infections include:
- Common cold.
- Epiglottitis.
- Laryngitis.
- Pharyngitis (sore throat).
- Sinusitis (sinus infection).
What are the signs of silent pneumonia?
What are the symptoms of walking pneumonia?
- Sore throat (pharyngitis)
- Feeling tired (fatigue)
- Chest pain.
- Mild chills.
- Low-grade fever.
- Persistent cough that can be dry or produce mucus.
- Sneezing.
- Headache.
What does pneumonia feel like in chest?
Rapid, shallow breathing. Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough. Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue. Nausea and vomiting, especially in small children.
Can you have an infection without a temperature?
Infections can sometimes be life threatening. A fever may be the first or only sign of infection. But some infections may not present with fever and it could be another symptom.
What is the fastest way to cure a lung infection?
Try these tips:
- Take OTC medications such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to lower your fever and help relieve any aches and pains.
- Use OTC decongestants or expectorants to help loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up.
- Be sure to get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of fluids.
What are 4 types of respiratory infections?
Four of the most common types of respiratory infections are COVID-19, the flu, pneumococcal disease, and colds.
How do I know if my chest infection is viral or bacterial?
"With a chest infection, you cough much more mucus up," agrees Coffey. "With a bacterial infection, this can be yellow, green, or a darker colour." If you cough up blood or rusty-coloured sputum, you should definitely see a doctor. "Patents may also experience chest pain, difficulty breathing or a rapid heart-rate."
Is it possible to have Covid without fever?
A fever is one of the common symptoms of COVID-19, but you can be infected with the coronavirus and have a cough or other symptoms with no fever, or a very low-grade one — especially in the first few days. Keep in mind that it is also possible to have the coronavirus with minimal symptoms or even no symptoms at all.
Can you have pneumonia without knowing it?
You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. You can also have it and not know it. Doctors call this walking pneumonia. Causes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
What are the 4 stages of pneumonia?
Stages of Pneumonia
- Stage 1: Congestion. During the congestion phase, the lungs become very heavy and congested due to infectious fluid that has accumulated in the air sacs. ...
- Stage 2: Red hepatization. ...
- Stage 3: Gray hepatization. ...
- Stage 4: Resolution.
Where do you hurt with pneumonia?
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia. Chest pain is caused by the membranes in the lungs filling with fluid. This creates pain that can feel like a heaviness or stabbing sensation and usually worsens with coughing, breathing or laughing.
Where does your chest hurt with pneumonia?
Common symptoms in adults6 include: Fever: Though you may have a fever with pneumonia, you won't necessarily have one. Chest pain: You may have pain in your chest that worsens when you take deep breaths or cough. It may feel like an ache or pressure under your breastbone.
Where is pneumonia pain located?
Signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include: Chest pain when you breathe or cough. Confusion or changes in mental awareness (in adults age 65 and older) Cough, which may produce phlegm.
Can you have pneumonia without Covid?
Pneumonia as a Complication of COVID-19
However, you can develop pneumonia due to bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, even if you don't have COVID-19 or the flu.
What does pneumonia feel like Covid?
If your COVID-19 infection starts to cause pneumonia, you may notice things like: Rapid heartbeat. Shortness of breath or breathlessness. Rapid breathing.
What walking pneumonia feels like?
Walking pneumonia can still make you miserable, with cough, fever, chest pain, mild chills, headache, etc. It feels more akin to a bad cold, and despite what the term "walking" implies, taking care of yourself is the best path to recovery.
What are some lung viruses?
Respiratory viruses include rhinoviruses and enteroviruses (Picornaviridae), influenza viruses (Orthomyxoviridae), parainfluenza, metapneumoviruses and respiratory syncytial viruses (Paramyxoviridae), coronaviruses (Coronaviridae), and several adenoviruses.
Can an upper respiratory infection turn into pneumonia?
According to the American Lung Association, certain bacteria and viruses responsible for URIs can lead to pneumonia. The bacteria most often responsible for pneumonia are Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Can lung infection cause back pain?
Two common health complications that often occur because of lung or chest infection are bronchitis and pneumonia. In severe cases, these infections can cause back pain.