What is Pneumonia ?

Pneumonia can have more than 30 different causes.
Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause pneumonia. Understanding the cause of pneumonia is important because pneumonia treatment depends on its cause.

It can be deadly.
Pneumonia can be very serious and can cause death. Complications from pneumonia include respiratory failure, sepsis and lung abscess and are more likely to affect older adults, young children, those with a weakened immune system and people with other medical problems.

Good health habits can fight pneumonia.
Washing your hands, following a healthy diet, getting adequate rest, regularly exercising and not smoking are all habits that can help you from getting sick from bacteria, viruses and other causes of respiratory illnesses. Good health habits also promote fast recovery when you do get sick.

Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of your lungs. Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is not a single disease. It can have more than 30 different causes. Understanding the cause of pneumonia is important because pneumonia treatment depends on its cause.

Approximately one-third of the pneumonia cases in the United States each year are caused by viruses. These viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children and young adults.

Approximately one-third of the pneumonia cases in the United States each year are caused by viruses. These viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in children and young adults.

Viruses are the most common causes of pneumonia. But medical experts have found more than 30 causes of pneumonia. Bacteria can cause it. Fungi can cause it. So can mycoplasma germs. They're neither a virus nor bacteria. They're the smallest germs that can cause disease in humans. You can also get pneumonia from breathing food, dust, liquids or gases into your lungs.

Many viruses and bacteria known to cause pneumonia may already live in your nose or throat. Your immune system usually keeps them out of your lungs. It's the body's defense system. But your immune system might be weak because it's already fighting off another disease. Then pneumonia can develop. Also, the immune system weakens as you get older. That's why your risk of pneumonia is higher if you are older than 65.

Pneumonia causes more deaths than any other kind of infection in children younger than five. Most children who die of pneumonia live in parts of the world where nutrition is poor. The air inside their homes may be polluted from heating with open fires. They also may live in very crowded homes. Parents who smoke in the house also put their children at risk of pneumonia.

Breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life can help keep the child from getting pneumonia. If the baby does get pneumonia, breastfeeding may keep the infection from being long and serious. Research shows that breast milk makes a baby’s immune system stronger. Breast milk also has substances that help keep pneumonia germs from growing in a baby’s nose, throat or lungs.

The viruses that cause flu (influenza) are the ones most likely to cause pneumonia in adults. These viruses pass easily from person to person. So be sure to get a flu shot every year. It will reduce your chances of getting pneumonia. Although most cases of flu do not lead to pneumonia, pneumonia from flu may be severe and dangerous. In fact, pneumonia from flu is a leading cause of death in people older than 65. Older people also can get a vaccination against pneumonia caused by bacteria. You need this shot only once, not every year.

Pneumonia may be life threatening for people with a weak immune system or another serious disease. It also may be worse for people who are very young or very old. But for most people, pneumonia improves in about two weeks. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics to treat bacterial pneumonia. They may prescribe antiviral drugs to treat viral pneumonia. Most people with pneumonia can get successful treatment in their homes.

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung affecting primarily the small air sacs known as alveoli. Typically symptoms include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing. Severity is variable

Pneumonia is usually caused by infection with viruses or bacteria and less commonly by other microorganisms, certain medications and conditions such as autoimmune diseases.

Risk factors include other lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and asthma, diabetes, heart failure, a history of smoking, a poor ability to cough such as following a stroke, or a weak immune system.

Diagnosis is often based on the symptoms and physical examination. Chest X-ray, blood tests, and culture of the sputum may help confirm the diagnosis.

The disease may be classified by where it was acquired with community, hospital, or health care associated pneumonia.

Vaccines to prevent certain types of pneumonia are available. Other methods of prevention include handwashing and not smoking

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Pneumonia believed to be due to bacteria is treated with antibiotics

If the pneumonia is severe, the affected person is generally hospitalized. Oxygen therapy may be used if oxygen levels are low

Pneumonia affects approximately 450 million people globally (7% of the population) and results in about 4 million deaths per year.

Pneumonia was regarded by William Osler in the 19th century as "the captain of the men of death". With the introduction of antibiotics and vaccines in the 20th century, survival improved

Nevertheless, in developing countries, and among the very old, the very young, and the chronically ill, pneumonia remains a leading cause of death.

Pneumonia often shortens suffering among those already close to death and has thus been called "the old man's friend"

People with infectious pneumonia often have a productive cough, fever accompanied by shaking chills, shortness of breath, sharp or stabbing chest pain during deep breaths, and an increased rate of breathing. In elderly people, confusion may be the most prominent sign