The 6 signs of deadly pneumonia you might mistake for a COLD – after Val Kilmer’s death

HOLLYWOOD legend Val Kilmer – best known for his roles in Batman Forever and Top Gun – passed away at the age of 65.

The actor's daughter announced he'd passed away from pneumonia.

Mercedes, 33, told the New York Times her dad had died in Los Angeles surrounded by family and friends.

But Val had suffered other health battles in the past, as he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, for which he underwent major surgery.

The actor had a tracheotomy, which impacted his ability to speak, but he managed to recover from the cancer.

He first rose to prominence in the 1980s, before landing the role of fighter pilot Tom “Iceman”; Kazansky in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise.

He went on to portray Batman in the 1995 cult classic film Batman Forever.

Pneumonia is a type of chest infection, typically caused by bacteria or viruses entering the lungs.

Antibiotics are given when the cause is bacterial, while viral pneumonia usually goes away itself with rest and plenty of fluids.

It can affect people of all ages but people who are older, ill or have a weakened immune system can be more vulnerable.

Most people will succumb to the chest infection during winter months and will be completely cured with prompt treatment.

But in some cases, pneumonia can be life threatening.

More than 25,000 people die from pneumonia in the UK each year, according to Asthma+ LungUK.

Early symptoms of pneumonia may be confused with cold or flu, as they include a cough, tiredness and a high temperature.

But other telltale symptoms, such as chest pain or wheezing, will indicate that the infection is more serious than a common cold.

You should take pneumonia seriously even if you're young and fit, Asthma + Lung stresses.

Here are six common symptoms of pneumonia:

1. Having a cough – your cough might be dry, or you might cough up yellow, green, brown or blood-stained mucus
2. Feeling weak and tired and generally ill
3. Feeling like you cannot catch your breath
4. Lack of appetite
5. Fast heartbeat
6. Sweating and shivering

Symptoms may come on suddenly over one or two days, or more slowly over a few days.

Not everyone will experience the above symptoms.

Others may include:

• Wheezing
• Confusion – this is particularly common in older people
• Sharp chest pain when you breathe in and out
• Joint or muscle pain
• Low blood pressure
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Coughing up blood

A key change from a normalrespiratory illness, such as a cold or the flu, to pneumonia is the development of significant shortness of breath and chest pain.

Unlike typical colds or flus, pneumonia often causes difficulty breathing and a sharp or stabbing pain in the chest that worsens with deep breaths or coughing.

If these symptoms appear, it's important to seek medical advice promptly.

Asthma + Lung notes that you should call 999 if:

• You’re struggling to breathe
• You’re coughing up blood
• Your lips, tongue or face turn blue
• You feel cold and sweaty, and your skin is pale or blotchy
• You have a rash that does not fade when you roll a glass over it
• You collapse or faint
• You become confused or very sleepy
• You’ve stopped peeing or are peeing a lot less than normal

How serious can pneumonia be?

Most people will recover from pneumonia in about two to four weeks.

But you may need to go to hospital if you're over the age of 65, have cardiovascular disease or a long-term heart condition or you become very unwell.

Babies or young children may need hospital treatment too.

Dr Andrew Whittamore, Clinical Lead at Asthma + Lung UK and a practising GP, previously told Sun Health: “Young children, those aged over 65 and those with existing lung conditions such as asthma or COPD, can be more prone to chest infections.

“They can also be more serious among these groups because the inflammation causes narrowing of the airways making it harder to breathe.

“Also, in young children and older people it may be harder for them to get rid of mucus because their body's defences may not be
working as well in the lungs.”