In the United States alone,pneumonia is the cause of over 60,000 deaths annually. Elderly people,children, patients with compromised immune systems and people with such health issues as diabetes mellitus are at risk of contracting pneumonia.

WHAT IS PNEUMONIA?
It is inflammation [swelling and irritation] of the lungs, with fluid filling the air sacs. Oxygen is inadequately supplied to the blood and the body's cells fail to work. Infection spreads through the body, and death may result. One lung may be affected [lobar pneumonia] or both lungs may have affected areas [bronchial pneumonia].

TYPES OF PNEUMONIA
- Bacterial pneumonia: commonly caused by streptococcus pneumoniae, affecting patients with weakened resistance. This could be because of malnutrition, old age or illness.
- Viral pneumonia: often milder than bacterial pneumonia. Various viruses are responsible, including the influenza virus and the parainfluenza virus that causes pertussis [croup].
- Mycoplasma pneumonia: a generally mild form, affecting mostly young people. Also known as "walking pneumonia" as the sufferer continues to function normally and may not seek treatment.
- Aspiration pneumonia: caused by inhalation of substances into the lungs. For various reasons, particles of food, drink or own-vomit may be inhaled; bronchial tubes and lungs become inflamed.
-Hospital- acquired pneumonia: often serious as patients may be already weakened by the disease that caused hospitalization.
- Legionnaire's disease: one such pneumonia found in hospitals as it thrives in air-conditioning systems of large buildings,affecting older patients.If children are infected it is usually mild.
- Community-acquired pneumonia: this bacterial form is one of the leading causes of death in the USA,in the elderly and in young children.
- Cytomegalovirus: patients with impaired immune systems may contract pneumonia from a herpes-type virus. Typical patients might be those receiving bone marrow or organ transplants or chemotherapy. People with AIDS are also at high risk.
- Atypical pneumonia: commonly a mild, viral form, unresponsive to antibiotics.

CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA
Bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi are the main causes of pneumonia. Other causes may be inhalation of food, liquid or dust. Tuberculosis, among other diseases, promotes the development of pneumonia.

SYMPTOMS OF PNEUMONIA
Symptoms vary but shortness of breath, chest pain, fever and cough are common to the disease. In young children, further symptoms may be observed:
- Rapid or labored breathing, with wheezing.
- Vomiting
- Little inclination to move, or play.
- In babies, reluctance to feed.
Mycoplasma, ["walking pneumonia"] often causes headache and sore throat.

PNEUMONIA TREATMENT
Is pneumonia contagious? Generally not. However, the respiratory or throat infections that lead to it are contagious. Viruses and bacteria may be spread by coughs and sneezes, shared cutlery and cups.
Depending on the type of pneumonia, treatment at home may be by antibiotics, but hospitalization may be appropriate if there is need for respiratory support, such as oxygen.
Bacterial pneumonia, treated by antibiotics,usually responds within two weeks. Viral pneumonia takes longer.

PNEUMONIA PREVENTION
Vaccines exist to prevent viral or bacterial infections that could lead to pneumonia. A common vaccine given to children protects against pertussis [whooping cough]. The influenza vaccine is recommended, especially for older and more vulnerable people, in whom pneumonia may occur as an influenza complication.
Parents can help protect their children by ensuring that they receive routine immunizations against infections.

Learn more about this author, Anne Penny.
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