Pneumonia is a killer. It’s the leading cause of death in the United States, and it’s on the rise. But how do you know if you’re getting sick and need help? And how can you get the best care? In this article, we’ll explore pneumonia and its symptoms—and offer tips on how to avoid it. We hope these tips will give you some peace of mind while you're dealing with pneumonia, and that they'll help others too. What is pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious respiratory infection that can cause fever, cough, and chest pain. The most common symptom of pneumonia is shortness of breath. Other symptoms may include difficulty breathing, chest pain, lightheadedness, and sweating.