What is Pneumonia ?

Older people may have a lower-than-normal body temperature.

Bacterial pneumonia: The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Chlamydophila pneumonia and Legionella pneumophila can also cause bacterial pneumonia.

Fever, sweating and shaking chills

Viral pneumonia: Respiratory viruses are often the cause of pneumonia, especially in young children and older people. Viral pneumonia is usually not serious and lasts for a shorter time than bacterial pneumonia.

Lower than normal body temperature (in adults older than age 65 and people with weak immune systems)

Mycoplasma pneumonia: Mycoplasma organisms are not viruses or bacteria, but they have traits common to both. Mycoplasmas generally cause mild cases of pneumonia, most often in older children and young adults.

Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Fungal pneumonia: Fungi from soil or bird droppings can cause pneumonia in people who inhale large amounts of the organisms.

Shortness of breath

They can also cause pneumonia in people with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems.

One kind of fungal pneumonia is called Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP).

This condition generally affects people with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS. In fact, PCP can be one of the first signs of infection with AIDS.

Newborns and infants may not show any sign of the infection. Or they may vomit, have a fever and cough, appear restless or tired and without energy, or have difficulty breathing and eating.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP): This type of bacterial pneumonia is acquired during a hospital stay. It can be more serious than other types, because the bacteria involved may be more resistant to antibiotics.

See your doctor if you have difficulty breathing, chest pain, persistent fever of 102 F (39 C) or higher, or persistent cough, especially if you're coughing up pus.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP): This refers to pneumonia that is acquired outside of a medical or institutional setting.

Aspiration pneumonia: This type of pneumonia occurs when you inhale bacteria into your lungs from food, drink, or saliva.

Adults older than age 65

Children younger than age 2 with signs and symptoms

This type is more likely to occur if you have a swallowing problem or if you become too sedate from the use of medications, alcohol, or some types of illicit drugs.

People with an underlying health condition or weakened immune system

Both viral and bacterial pneumonia can spread to others through inhalation of airborne droplets from a sneeze or cough.

But while you can become infected with fungal pneumonia from the environment, it doesn’t spread from person to person.

People receiving chemotherapy or taking medication that suppresses the immune system

infants from birth to age 2 years, and individuals ages 65 years or older