The symptoms are generally mild and appear over a period of 1 to 3 weeks. They may become more severe in some people.

Common symptoms include the following:

• Chest pain
• Chills
• Cough, usually dry and not bloody
• Excessive sweating
• Fever (may be high)
• Headache
• Sore throat

Less frequently seen symptoms include:

• Ear pain
• Eye pain or soreness
• Muscle aches and joint stiffness
• Neck lump
• Rapid breathing
• Skin lesionsor rash

Persons with suspected pneumonia should have a complete medical evaluation, including a thorough physical exam and a chest x-ray -- especially since the physical exam may not always distinguish pneumonia from acute bronchitis or other respiratory infections.

Depending on the severity of illness, additional studies may be done, include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Blood cultures
• Blood tests for antibodies to mycoplasma
• Bronchoscopy
• Open lung biopsy (only done in very serious illnesses when the diagnosis cannot be made from other sources)
• Sputum culture to check for mycoplasma bacteria

A urine test or a throat swab may also be done.