" Pneumonia affects the lungs and can leave you quite sick. It is a chest infection which ranges from mild (prolonged chest cold) to life threatening. The symptoms include cough, sputum, fever, and shortness of breath. Those whom are already sick, babies, and older adults are more likely to experience severe pneumonia. Diagnosis is made by taking vital signs, examination, and possibly a chest x-ray. Pneumonia is treatable. If it is caused by bacteria, antibiotics may ...