"It is extremely unlikely that a child with a bacterial pneumonia advanced enough to be fatal would not have had a very high fever for several days running."
Not true
In fact this is what eMedicineHealth has to say.
"When to Seek Medical Care
When to call the doctor
* If you have a fever and cough up yellow, green, or brown sputum, make an appointment with your doctor.
* If you have, shortness of breath, chest pain, or confusion, you should seek emergency care.
"
The symptoms
# Typical pneumonia comes on very quickly.
* Typical pneumonia usually results in a high fever and shaking chills.
* Typical pneumonia usually leads to the production of yellow or brown sputum when coughing.
* There may be chest pain, which is usually worse with breathing or coughing. The chest also may be sore when you touch or press it.
* Typical pneumonia can cause shortness of breath, especially if you have any chronic lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema.
* Because chest pain also can be a sign of other serious medical conditions, do not try to diagnose yourself.
* Older people can have confusion or a change in their mental abilities as a sign of pneumonia or other infection.
Atypical pneumonia has a gradual onset.
* It is called "walking pneumonia."
* Sometimes it follows another illness in the days to weeks before the pneumonia.
* The fever is usually lower, and shaking chills are less likely.
* There may be headache, body aches, and joint pain.
* Coughing may be dry or produce only a little sputum. You may not have any chest pain.
* Abdominal pain may be present.
* There may be other symptoms, such as feeling tired or weak.
