What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is a serious condition that affects the lungs, and it can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. It commonly starts with inflammation of the air sacs in one or both lungs, typically accompanied by fever and productive cough (with phlegm). Other symptoms may include chills, chest pain when taking deep breaths, difficulty breathing/shortness of breath, fatigue/weakness/tiredness and loss of appetite.

Pneumonia can range from mild to severe in nature depending on its cause; bacterial pneumonia is generally more serious than viral or fungal pneumonia. If left untreated or improperly treated it can lead to serious complications including infections affecting other parts of the body such as the heart (myocarditis), autoimmune disease flares (lupus) and even death. Treatment involves antibiotics for bacterial pneumonia while antiviral medications are given if viral pneumonia is suspected. In some cases hospitalization might be necessary to ensure successful recovery.