In the initial stages, it is difficult to find out whether it is just a common flu and cold or it is pneumonia. It would be safe to say that cold and flu is a prelude to pneumonia. More often than not, pneumonia is preceded by colds and/or flu. But do not think that every occurrence of cold and flu will lead to this deadly disease.

Pneumonia is often indicated by running nose. It is often accompanied by coughing up of mucous. In extreme cases, pneumonia also has coughing up of blood drops. Many even face trouble in breathing due to high amount of cough in the chest. When you cough, you may even face chest pain.

Pneumonia starts with any normal coughing. It is difficult to detect at this stage. If you are infected by the pneumonia bacteria, this coughing will increase. This might accompany with fever. You might face with chilly fever. Chest pain may be there as the diseases progresses to a later stage.

As this disease can be deadly, it is important that you visit a doctor if you consistently face coughing and flu for a few days.