Pneumonia: Symptoms, Causes, and Effective Treatments

An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, which may fill with fluid or pus, causing cough, fever, and difficulty breathing.

Pneumonia FAQ

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Can anyone get pneumonia?

Anyone can get pneumonia. It’s a common illness, with millions of people diagnosed each year in the United States. About 55,000 people die each year of pneumonia in the U.S. It’s the most common cause of death in developing countries. You won’t necessarily have all the symptoms of pneumonia.

What are the symptoms of pneumonia?

Even if you have pneumonia, you may not have all these symptoms. feeling sick or being sick. Some people get a sharp pain in their chest when they breathe in and out. This is often because the thin lining between the lung and ribcage, called the pleura, has become infected and swollen.

What is walking pneumonia?

Walking pneumonia is an informal name given to this type of pneumonia, which typically isn't severe enough to require bed rest. Fungi. This type of pneumonia is most common in people with chronic health problems or weakened immune systems, and in people who have inhaled large doses of the organisms.

What are the different types of pneumonia?

Pneumonia is classified according to the types of germs that cause it and where you got the infection. Community-acquired pneumonia is the most common type of pneumonia. It occurs outside of hospitals or other health care facilities. It may be caused by: Bacteria. The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in the U.S. is Streptococcus pneumoniae.

How long does pneumonia last?

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital. Symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days.

What happens if you get pneumonia in your lungs?

Pneumonia may cause fluid to build up in the thin space between layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity (pleura). If the fluid becomes infected, you may need to have it drained through a chest tube or removed with surgery. Lung abscess. An abscess occurs if pus forms in a cavity in the lung.

When is pneumonia more common?

It’s more widespread in autumn and winter. Pneumonia can affect people of any age, but it’s more common – and can be more serious – in certain groups of people, such as the very young or the elderly. People in these groups are more likely to need hospital treatment if they develop pneumonia. What causes pneumonia?