Summary

• Common symptoms include cough, fever and chills, fatigue, dyspnoea, rigors, and pleuritic pain.
• Important historical factors to narrow the differential diagnosis are recent respiratory infection, exposure to respiratory illnesses, immunocompromise, smoking, alcohol, travel, and occupational risks.
• Often diagnosis and treatment can be based solely on history and physical examination.
• The most specific and sensitive test is chest x-ray (posterior-anterior and lateral).
• Initial treatment is empirical with antibiotics.