8. Chest Pain
Surrounding each lung are layers of membrane called the pleura. Pneumonia aggravates these membranes by way of the infection itself and the coughing it causes. As a result, they can become inflamed.
This inflammation can contribute to the difficulty or shortness of breath and discomfort in the chest cavity. The discomfort can be such that it’s experienced as a sharp or stabbing pain, specifically in the lung, or in the chest area in general. Breathing and coughing will exacerbate any pain, particularly on the side of the body housing the infected lung.