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Pneumonia is an inflammatory lung disease responsible for the deaths of millions of people each year around the world. It is caused by bacteria in most cases, although viruses and fungus are also known to cause it under some circumstances. Pneumonia can affect anyone, although those most at risk are the very young or old, and it is also the sixth biggest cause of death in the United States today.

The most common symptoms of pneumonia are a cough, fever, difficulty breathing and chest pain, and also a greenish or yellow sputum produced from coughing. Many people also cough up blood, lose weight quickly, and begin to develop a blue tinge to the skin, as less oxygen then required is being taken in. Because of the severity of pneumonia, a quick diagnosis is important, and even then, many cases might still require a stay in hospital.

Making a diagnosis of pneumonia is usually done through a physical examination of the lungs, followed by a chest x-ray and sometimes sampling sputum from a patient. The physical examination of the lungs usually uncovers less expansion of the affected lung, and may also allow the physician to hear rales (crackling noises) during inhalation.

Sputum and blood cultures are also sometimes used, mainly if antibiotics aren't improving the condition. These cultures are checked for the presence of bacteria, which can then be identified, and the most appropriate treatment can be administered. The most common bacteria type that causes pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae, although there are many other types that can cause it as well.

As well as the more common bacterial causes of pneumonia, parasites, viruses and fungal causes can also be to blame. The majority of the time, all of these are taken into the body by being inhaled in tiny water droplets in the air. Although most of the time this happens, the body's immune system is able to remove the threat before any infection occurs.

Most kinds of pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization, and require only rest, antibiotics and plenty of fluids. Bacterial infections tend to be the fastest healing, and usually symptoms can be overcome in a few weeks. Viral infections can tend to take longer as they are more difficult to identify and treat, as in many cases, traditional antibiotics aren't effective. Most of the time, general care and rest is the most effective treatment, as often a specific cause for pneumonia isn't found before the symptoms disappear.

In some cases, complications can arise form

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