What is a common symptom of bacterial pneumonia?

Rusty-colored sputum is a classic symptom associated with bacterial pneumonia, particularly pneumococcal pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. This specific color of sputum occurs due to the presence of blood in the mucus, which can result from inflammation and damage to the lung tissue caused by the bacterial infection. The rust color is indicative of the breakdown of red blood cells and often correlates with the severity of the infection.

In contrast, a dry cough is more typical of viral infections or conditions like asthma, while chronic fatigue and shortness of breath without fever might occur in various other conditions but are not characteristic of bacterial pneumonia specifically. In clinical practice, the presence of rusty sputum, along with other symptoms such as fever, chills, and chest pain, can help healthcare providers to diagnose bacterial pneumonia more accurately.