If your pneumonia isn't clearing as quickly as expected, your doctor may recommend a chest CT scan to obtain a more detailed image of your lungs. Your doctor might order additional tests if you're older than age 65, are in the hospital, or have serious symptoms or health conditions.
A sample of fluid from your lungs (sputum) is taken after a deep cough and analyzed to help pinpoint the cause of the infection. Pneumonia can prevent your lungs from moving enough oxygen into your bloodstream. This measures the oxygen level in your blood. However, it can't tell your doctor what kind of germ is causing the pneumonia. This helps your doctor diagnose pneumonia and determine the extent and location of the infection. However, precise identification isn't always possible.
Blood tests are used to confirm an infection and to try to identify the type of organism causing the infection.
