Your health care provider can diagnose pneumonia based on your

·         Symptoms

·         Physical exam

·         Lab tests

·         Chest x-ray

Other bacteria and germs also can cause pneumonia. Therefore, if you have any of the symptoms of pneumonia, you should get diagnosed early and start taking medicine, if appropriate.

Your health care provider can usually diagnose pneumococcal pneumonia by finding S. pneumoniae bacteria in your blood, saliva, or lung fluid.