Pneumonia or something else?

[J Rock]

I had pneumonia about 2 months ago, diagosed with a chest x-ray. Antibiotics cleared it up in about a week. Then a couple weeks later I developed severe sore throat, productive cough, pressure in ear, and runny nose which all lasted few weeks. Recently I started to feel normal, but still have lots of greenish-yellow mucous and always have to hack and spit. And when I take a deep breath out, my lungs make a grunting or vibrating noise. Possible sinus infection, pnuemonia, or worse? I have been playing a lot of sports lately, could this be the cause, or if it was something serious would I even be able to do physical activities. 26, male, smoker, althletic and good physical condition otherwise.

[siren of the sea]

take your booty back to the dr. green  mucus is an indication of infection. dont mess around with pneumonia (SP) it can lead to serious effects!

[J Rock]

I did forget to mention that I did go back to the Dr when these symptoms came about, but I was told that if I didn't have chills or fever that the pneumonia was not present and was prescribed Omnicef antibiotics and was told to resume daily activities.

[siren of the sea]

ok the obvious is stop smoking. give your lungs a chance to heal. i dont know what to tell you if the dr is relying only on a fever. make sure you also are getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of water.

[GravesLady]

When I had pneumonia I did have lots of mucous however it was clear.  Doctor gave me a choice to be treated in the hospital or in his office everyday for about 2 weeks. I opted for his office.  Treatment consisted of taking deep breaths from a tube connected to a big machine with a measuring ball.  I had to take deep breaths while mist came through tube which I breathed into my lungs,  I believe it was some form of medication.  I had to breath very deep as possible to get the ball at a certain level.  This made me cough up the mucous which I then had to extract into a bowl so as not to retake it back into my lungs. This went on everyday until no mucous and I was well.  I don't think I had a fever or at least a very high fever for how sick I was and the length.  As I got older the more often I got Pneumonia to where I was getting it every year, summer and winter along with bronchitis and Pleurisy together.  I finally asked doctor for a once in a life Pneumonia shot and I haven't had all three since and that has been sixteen years.
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Often pneumonia begins after an upper respiratory tract infection (an infection of the nose and throat). When this happens, symptoms of pneumonia begin after 2 or 3 days of a cold or sore throat. Symptoms of pneumonia vary.
Read more here:  http://www.reutershealth.com/wellconnected/doc64.html

You might have bronchitis. It often starts with similar symptoms to that of a common cold

[sk2006a]

if your current antibiotics aren't working, you need to go back to your doctor to try something else.  green mucous = infection.  the type of infection will dictate the type of antibiotic required.  you may need to switch antibiotics or have a long dose time.

[J Rock]

I am aware of the consequences of smoking and potential health concerns, but can these possible complications from pneumonia have long term effects such as emphysema or decreased lung function? Thanks to those who replied.