What is Pneumonia? What causes it and what are the symptoms?
Pneumonia (pronounced: noo-mow-nyuh) is an infection of the lungs. When a person has pneumonia, lung tissue can fill with pus and other fluid, which makes it difficult for oxygen in the lung’s air sacs to reach the bloodstream. With pneumonia, a person may have difficulty breathing and have a cough and fever. Sometimes a person may have chest or abdominal pain and vomiting, too. Pneumonia is commonly caused by viruses, such as the influenza virus (flu) and adenovirus. Other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are common causes of pneumonia in young children and infants. Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, too. People with bacterial pneumonia are usually sicker than those with viral pneumonia, but can be effectively treated with antibiotic medications. You may have heard the terms “double pneumonia” or “walking pneumonia.” Double pneumonia simply means that the infection is in both lungs. It’s common for pneumonia to affect both lungs, so don’t
