• chills
• fevers
• cough -- may be dry or productive of phlegm
• headache
• muscular stiffness and aching
• breathing, rapid may be present
• shortness of breath may be present
• loss of appetite (anorexia)
• malaise
• confusion (especially with Legionella)
• rash (especially with Mycoplasma)
• diarrhea (especially with Legionella)

People with suspected pneumonia should undergo a medical evaluation, including a thorough physical exam and a chest X-ray -- especially since the physical exam may not always distinguish pneumonia from acute bronchitis or other respiratory infections.

Depending on the severity of illness, additional studies, such as a complete blood count, blood cultures, and sputum cultures, may be obtained.

When certain forms of atypical pneumonia are suspected, certain tests (such as urine legionella antigen and throat swabs for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia, in addition to blood tests for antibodies to Mycoplasma and Chlamydia pneumonia) may be ordered.