Seeing food or tube feed material (if being fed artificially) in your sputum
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider will use a stethoscope to listen for crackles or abnormal breath sounds in your chest. Tapping on your chest wall (percussion) helps the provider listen and feel for abnormal sounds in your chest.
If pneumonia is suspected, your provider will likely order a chest x-ray.
The following tests also may help diagnose this condition:
Some people may need to be hospitalized. Treatment depends on how severe the pneumonia is and how ill the person is before the aspiration (chronic illness). Sometimes a ventilator (breathing machine) is needed to support breathing.
You will likely receive antibiotics.
You may need to have your swallowing function tested. People who have trouble swallowing may need to use other feeding methods to reduce the risk of aspiration.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Outcome depends on:
The health of the person before getting pneumonia
The type of bacteria causing the pneumonia
How much of the lungs are involved
More severe infections may result in long-term damage to the lungs.
Spread of infection to the bloodstream (bacteremia)
Spread of infection to other areas of the body
Respiratory failure
Death
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have:
Chest pain
Chills
Fever
Shortness of breath
Bluish discoloration of the lips or tongue (cyanosis)
Wheezing
References
Baden LR, Griffin MR, Klompas M. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 85.
Shah RJ, Young VN. Aspiration. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 43.
Review Date:
8/13/2023
Reviewed By:
Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron, Jr. Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.