Can a Cold Turn Into Pneumonia? A cold doesn't necessarily ‘turn
into' pneumonia, but can create an environment in which viruses
or bacteria can attack the lungs causing pneumonia. The most
common cause of pneumonia is bacteria. In this case, though the
cold virus itself does not cause the pneumonia, it could
ultimately irritate the lungs, lowering tolerance making you
more susceptible to infection. This is especially true in those
who are very young, elderly, or have weakened immune systems.
One-third of pneumonia cases are caused by viruses, one of which
is the rhinovirus, which can also cause the common cold. The
Common Cold vs. Pneumonia When first beginning to feel the onset
of a respiratory illness, you most likely will not be able to
tell whether it's just a cold or something more serious like
pneumonia. Many of the symptoms mimic each other such as fever,
cough and chills. However, the common cold and its symptoms
usually do not stick around for long and usually do not require
anything more than over-