Diagnosis of Pneumonia

Home

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

| A |

| B |

| C |

| D |

| E |

| F |

| G |

| H |

| I |

| J |

| K |

| L |

| M |

| N |

| O |

| P |

| Q |

| R |

| S |

| T |

| U |

| V |

| W |

| X |

| Y |

Pneumonia is diagnosed through the symptoms of a cough with phlegm and shallow breathing or breathlessness. The doctor may also listen to your chest with an instrument called a stethoscope. Another diagnosis technique is the percussion method, which involves spreading the fingers on the chest with the middle finger pressing down firmly on the skin. The doctor will tap on the middle finger with his other hand, listening for sounds that indicate that there is a solid substance in the lungs.

A chest x-ray can usually confirm the diagnosis and a sample of phlegm may be sent for examination, to identify the infecting germ. This is helpful in deciding which antibiotic treatment to prescribe.

Paget's disease Painkillers Pancreatitis Panic disorder Parkinson's disease Patient Advice and Liaison Services Patient and Public Involvement Forums Patient choice Pelvic inflammatory disease Pemphigus vulgaris Peptic ulcer Perforated eardrum Pericarditis Periods Periods, absent Periods, heavy Periods, irregular Periods, painful Peritonitis Persistent vegetative state PET scan Phenylketonuria Phobias Phosphate test Physiotherapy Pilonidal sinus Plasma products Plastic surgery Pleurisy Pneumococcal infections Pneumonia Poisoning Poliomyelitis Polycystic ovarian syndrome Polymyalgia rheumatica Polyps, nose Post-mortem Post-natal depression Post-traumatic stress disorder Potassium test Pre-eclampsia Preconception Pregnancy Premenstrual syndrome Preoperative tests Pressure ulcers Priapism Prickly heat Primary biliary cirrhosis Progestogen-only pill Prolapse of the uterus Prostate disease Psoriasis Psychiatry Psychosis Psychotherapy Puberty