Pneumonia: An Overview

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. Your lungs have 2 main parts: airways (also called bronchial tubes) and alveoli (also called air sacs). When you breathe, the air moves down through your airways and into your alveoli (say: "al-vee-oh-lie"). From the alveoli, oxygen goes into your blood while carbon dioxide moves out of your blood. When you have pneumonia, your alveoli get inflamed (irritated and swollen) and fill with fluid. This makes it difficult for you to breathe.

Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria or a virus. It can also be caused by fungi or irritants that you breathe into your lungs.

The symptoms of pneumonia can range from mild to severe, depending on your risk factors and the type of pneumonia you have. Common symptoms are similar to the symptoms caused by a cold or the flu. They include the following:

If you have any of these symptoms, or if you suddenly start getting worse after having a cold or the flu, see your family doctor.

Anyone can get pneumonia, but it is more likely to develop in someone who already has a weak immune system and can't fight off the infection.

People who are at an increased risk of pneumonia include the following:

Your doctor will diagnose pneumonia based on your medical history and the results from a physical exam. He or she may also need to do some tests, such as a chest X-ray or a blood test.

Treatment depends on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe your symptoms are, how healthy you are overall and your age.

For bacterial pneumonia, your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics. Most of your symptoms should improve within a few days, although a cough can last for several weeks. Be sure to follow your doctor's directions carefully. Take all the antibiotic medicine that your doctor prescribes. If you don't, some bacteria may stay in your body. This can cause your pneumonia to come back. It can also increase your risk of antibiotic resistance.

Antibiotics don't work to treat viral infections. If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor will likely talk to you about ways to treat your symptoms. Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are available to lower fever, relieve pain and ease your cough. However, some coughing is okay because it can help clear your lungs. Be sure to talk to your doctor before you take a cough suppressant.

When you have any type of pneumonia, it's important to get lots of rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Severe cases of pneumonia may require treatment in the hospital. Your doctor may give you oxygen to help you breathe or antibiotics through an IV.

Complications of pneumonia include pleural effusion and bacteria in the bloodstream. Pleural effusion is when fluid builds up in the layers of tissue between your lungs and the wall of your chest and becomes infected. This can make breathing very difficult. To drain the fluid, a tube may need to be placed between your lungs and your chest wall, or you may need surgery.

Bacteria in the bloodstream occur when the pneumonia infection in your lungs spreads to your blood. This increases the risk that the infection will spread to other organs in your body. Bacteria in the bloodstream are treated with antibiotics.

People who have heart or lung problems, people who smoke, and people who are 65 years of age and older are more likely to experience complications from pneumonia.

You can help prevent pneumonia by doing the following:

Get a flu shot each year. Pneumonia often develops after someone has the flu. By getting a flu shot each year, you decrease your risk of both the flu and pneumonia.

Get the pneumococcal vaccine. It's recommended that all children under 2 years of age and people 65 years of age and older get vaccinated for pneumonia. (The vaccine for children is actually called the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.) The vaccine is also recommended for people of all ages who have conditions including the following:

The pneumococcal vaccine does not prevent all types of pneumonia. However, studies show that it can protect you from one of the more serious types of bacterial pneumonia. Side effects of the vaccine are usually mild. They can include soreness and swelling around the area where the shot was given.

Wash your hands frequently. Washing your hands kills germs that can make you sick, including the germs that cause pneumonia. Make sure to wash your hands before eating and after using the restroom.

Don't smoke. Smoking damages your lungs and makes it harder for your body to defend itself from germs and disease. If you smoke, talk to your family doctor about quitting as soon as possible.

Make healthy choices. Your body is better able to fight off infections when you eat a healthy diet and are physically active.