Pneumonia Summary Pneumonia is an infection in one or both of the lungs. Many germs, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, can cause pneumonia. You can also get pneumonia by inhaling a liquid or chemical. People most at risk are older than 65 or younger than 2 years of age, or already have health problems. Symptoms of pneumonia vary from mild to severe. See your doctor promptly if you Have a high fever Have shaking chills Have a cough with phlegm that doesn’t improve or gets worse Develop shortness of breath with normal daily activities Have chest pain when you breathe or cough Feel suddenly worse after a cold or the flu Your doctor will use your medical history, a physical exam, and lab tests to diagnose pneumonia. Treatment depends on what kind you have. If bacteria are the cause, antibiotics should help. If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat it. Preventing pneumonia is always better than treating it. Vaccines are available to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia and the flu. Other preventive measures include washing your hands frequently and not smoking. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Find an Expert American Lung Association American Lung Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Array Aspiration pneumonia Atypical pneumonia Hospital-acquired pneumonia Mycoplasma pneumonia Pneumonia Pneumonia – adults – discharge Pneumonia – children – discharge Viral pneumonia Specifics Bronchiolitis Obliterans with Organizing Pneumonia (BOOP) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Frequently Asked Questions about Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Centers for Disease Control and Prevention MedlinePlus: Pneumococcal Infections National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus: Pneumocystis Infections National Library of Medicine Pneumococcal Pneumonia National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases What Is Walking Pneumonia? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Encyclopedia Chest x-ray CMV – pneumonia Lung needle biopsy Parapneumonic pulmonary effusion Pleural fluid culture Pneumonia – weakened immune system Routine sputum culture Sputum direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) Sputum gram stain Thoracic CT Children Chlamydia Pneumoniae Infections American Academy of Pediatrics Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infections American Academy of Pediatrics Pneumonia Nemours Foundation Pneumonia (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Bronchopneumonia National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Pneumonia National Institutes of Health Statistics and Research FastStats: Pneumonia National Center for Health Statistics Genetics Genetics Home Reference: autosomal recessive hyper-IgE syndrome National Library of Medicine Prevention and Risk Factors How Can Pneumonia Be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Pneumonia Can Be Prevented — Vaccines Can Help Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Top 9 Ways to Reduce the Risk of Pneumonia If You or a Loved One Is Hospitalized Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology Diagnosis and Tests How Is Pneumonia Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies How Is Pneumonia Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues Petroleum Jelly: Safe for a Dry Nose? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Start Here Pneumonia American Academy of Family Physicians Pneumonia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Understanding Pneumonia American Lung Association What Is Pneumonia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Teenagers Pneumonia Nemours Foundation Journal Articles Pneumonia Symptoms Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment of Pneumonia American Lung Association What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Pneumonia? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Reference Desk What Are the Lungs? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Latest News Lung Ultrasound May Be Best to Spot Pneumonia in Kids HealthDay
