Pneumonia is very scary because it can cause problems with how you breathe. You might breathe very fast or just battling to breath. When you are getting tested for Pneumonia usually the doctors start with their stethscope. They listen for crackles that they can hear in the chest or for any other abnormal sounds.

When the doctor things that it might be Pneumonia then they will order a chest x-ray. In most cases you will not need to fast for this x-ray. If your x-ray comes back as positive your doctor will start treatment right away by giving antibiotics.

Your doctor will require for you to come back and have another x-ray to make sure that everything is fine after you have completed the antibiotics. You might have to go back for a checkup before completion if you are still feeling bad and not getting any signs of relief.