Individuals with infectious pneumonia generally have a productive cough, sharp pain in between breaths, fever accompanied with shaking chills and an increased respiratory rate. For the elderly, confusion is often the most prominent sign [6]. In children under 5, the typical signs and symptoms are fever, fast or difficult breathing and cough.

Fever is not a specific symptom because it occurs in many other illnesses and may be absent in with more severe conditions or malnutrition. Again, children less than two months old do not present with cough. In severe cases, other symptoms to expect include a blue-tinged skin, decreased thirst, convulsions, constant vomiting, decreased levels of consciousness and temperature always at the extremes.

Both bacterial and viral cases of pneumonia have similar symptoms.

Some causative agents are linked with classic but often non-specific characteristics. For instance pneumonia caused by Klebsiella may have the “currant jelly” symptom or bloody sputum, pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumonia is linked with rusty and coloured sputum while Legionella-cuased pneumonia is associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea or confusion.

• Fever

  BACKGROUND: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) was first reported in China in 2011. Human-to-human transmission of the virus occurred occasionally in family clusters. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Pain

  Pain Management It is also important to remember that the patient with pneumonia may also be in pain. And if a patient with pneumonia is in pain, their lung expansion may be compromised which can further exacerbate their condition. [ausmed.com]

  Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms : fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. [lung.org]

  […] no severe problems Chest pain No chest pain or only mild pain No sore throat Sore throat How pneumonia is diagnosed Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are very similar to bronchitis, a bad cold or asthma. [beta.nhs.uk]

  […] in the chest, especially when coughing abdominal (tummy) aches or pain. [rch.org.au]

• Chills

  Chills iStock/George Clerk Patients with pneumonia often report teeth-chattering chills that cannot be remedied. Chills are a sign of fever and that the body is working overtime to regulate temperature. [rd.com]

  Chills are often a secondary symptom caused by a fever. When the fever breaks or ends, the chills may subside on their own. 11. Warm liquids Drinking warm liquids may help warm the body up and prevent chills. [medicalnewstoday.com]

  A 53-year-old female presented with intermittent fever, chills, and dry cough since 10 days. Chest computed tomography scan showed multiple bilateral patchy infiltrates. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] nia | \ nu̇-ˈmō-nyə, nyu̇- \ : an acute disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills [merriam-webster.com]

• Fatigue

  […] disease that is marked by inflammation of lung tissue accompanied by infiltration of alveoli and often bronchioles with white blood cells (such as neutrophils) and fibrinous exudate, is characterized by fever, chills, cough, difficulty in breathing, fatigue [merriam-webster.com]

  Bronchitis can cause: Cough Production of mucus Shortness of breath Wheezing Chest tightness Low fever and chills Fatigue Most bronchitis is caused by viruses. The same viruses that cause colds and flu often cause acute bronchitis. [aurorahealthcare.org]

  Fatigue (tiredness) from pneumonia can last for a month or more. [web.archive.org]

  Many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t work properly) and/or amputations. [sepsis.org]

• Malaise

  The elderly may present with mainly systemic complaints of malaise, fatigue, anorexia and myalgia. Young children may present with nonspecific symptoms or abdominal pain. [patient.info]

  Initially, these patients experience fever with chills, cough, shortness of breath, headache, muscle pain, and malaise, all of which may subside in a day if there is no further exposure. [britannica.com]

  Symptoms and signs include malaise, fever, chills, rigor, cough, dyspnea, and chest pain. [msdmanuals.com]

  In studies limited to patients aged 60 years or older, the combination of fever, cough, and acute onset (LR, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.8-7.7), fever and cough (LR, 5.0; 95% CI, 3.5-6.9), fever alone (LR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.8-5.0), malaise (LR, 2.6; 95% CI, 2.2-3.1), [dx.doi.org]

• Cough

  Cough is often distressing for patients with pneumonia. Accordingly they often use over-the-counter (OTC) cough medications (mucolytics or cough suppressants). [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Objective measurements of cough indices (cough frequency, cough receptor sensitivity). [dx.doi.org]

  Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms : fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within a day or two, the symptoms typically get worse, with increasing cough, shortness of breath and muscle pain. [lung.org]

• Dyspnea

  CASE SUMMARY: A 59-year-old man with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) presented with dry cough, low-grade fever, and progressive dyspnea. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  The usual presentation occurs with insidious onset and nonspecific respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea and/or cough. [doi.org]

• Dry Cough

  She was admitted to clinic with a 2-week history of dyspnoea, dry cough and fever. Her initial examination showed her to be hypoxic on air with saturations of 77% and left basal crackles. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

• Productive Cough

  She had started taking the TNFI, golimumab (50 mg/month), 3 years before and developed a productive cough 4 weeks before this admission. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Patients with pneumonia usually report a gradual onset of difficulty breathing, along with fever and chills, a productive cough and chest pain associated with the cough. [ems1.com]

  Many other bacteria may cause bacterial pneumonia including: Group B streptococcus Staphylococcus aureus Group A streptococcus Bacterial pneumonia may have a quick onset and the following symptoms may occur: Productive cough Pain in the chest Vomiting [stanfordchildrens.org]

  Individuals with infectious pneumonia generally have a productive cough, sharp pain in between breaths, fever accompanied with shaking chills and an increased respiratory rate. For the elderly, confusion is often the most prominent sign. [symptoma.com]

  Key Symptoms The most common symptom of pneumonia is productive cough. It is usually associated with the production of yellowish or greenish sputum, but blood-tinged sputum can also occur. This is typically associated with fever and chills. [docdoc.com.sg]

• Sputum Production

  Pneumonia can first feel like a cold or the flu, but will often result in symptoms like a high fever, shaking, chills, and a cough with increased sputum production. The sputum is usually discolored and sometimes bloody. [craighospital.org]

  Duration of sputum production (days). In‐patient sputum weight. Duration of leukocytosis (days). Change in leukocyte count. Mean leukocyte count. [doi.org]

  Atypical pneumonia : This describes a type of pneumonia that tends to be milder, with little or no sputum production; the chest x-ray may show areas of fluid in the lungs but not in a lobar pattern. [health.harvard.edu]

• Vomiting

  Vomiting – not just vomiting from a big coughing fit, but vomiting even in between coughing fits. Blue color around the lips and face – from lack of oxygen. [askdrsears.com]

  Aspiration pneumonia Aspiration pneumonia occurs when you inhale food, drink, vomit or saliva into your lungs. [mayoclinic.org]

  They may seem weak, vomit, or have diarrhea. Less common symptoms include abdominal pain and a stiff neck. [babycenter.com]

  Symptoms may include: Fever Chest or stomach pain Decrease in appetite Chills Breathing fast or hard Vomiting Headache Not feeling well Fussiness The symptoms of pneumonia may resemble other problems or medical conditions. [stanfordchildrens.org]

  Or, they may vomit, have a fever and cough, or appear restless, sick, or tired and without energy. Older adults and people who have serious illnesses or weak immune systems may have fewer and milder symptoms. [lung.org]

• Nausea

  This type of pneumonia can have some different symptoms and physical signs such as white phlegm, nausea and vomiting. Pneumonia caused by mycoplasma organisms is generally mild, but recovery takes longer. [lungfoundation.com.au]

  The most common include For abortive poliomyelitis fever (up to 103º F) decreased appetite nausea and/or vomiting sore throat not feeling well constipation abdominal pain For nonparalytic poliomyelitis headache, nausea and vomiting may be worse child [childrenshospital.org]

  Digestive system In some cases, like pneumonia caused by the flu virus, nausea and vomiting are common side effects. For most people, pneumonia is treatable. It’s also preventable. [healthline.com]

  […] may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus Fever, sweating and shaking chills Shortness of breath Rapid, shallow breathing Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough Loss of appetite, low energy, and fatigue Nausea [lung.org]

  About 1 out of 4 people with poliovirus infection will have flu-like symptoms that may include: Sore throat Fever Tiredness Nausea Headache Stomach pain These symptoms usually last 2 to 5 days, then go away on their own. [cdc.gov]

• Loss of Appetite

  Early symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, which include: Fever Dry cough Headache Sore throat Loss of appetite Muscle pain Additional symptoms about a day later: High fever Cough with mucus Shortness of breath Cleveland Clinic News & More Cleveland [my.clevelandclinic.org]

  The most common signs and symptoms are: cough fevers, sweating and shivering difficulty breathing or rapid breathing feeling generally tired and unwell loss of appetite Check your symptoms with healthdirect’s Symptom Checker for advice on when to seek [healthdirect.gov.au]

  Fever, sweating and shivering, loss of appetite and a rapid heartbeat are all also symptoms. Less common symptoms include coughing up blood, headaches, tiredness, feeling or being sick, wheezing, muscle pain and confusion. [thesun.co.uk]

  They are typically similar to a flu or chest infection so would include a high temperature or fever, sweating, shivering and a cough that brings up phlegm, as well as a loss of appetite. [theguardian.com]

  Other symptoms include shortness of breath, rapid-shallow breathing, chest pain, headache, excessive fatigue, and/or loss of appetite. [craighospital.org]

• Diarrhea

  Resources for 2018 Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report Pneumonia and Diarrhea Progress Report: 2018 A new report finds health systems are falling woefully short of ensuring the most vulnerable children have sufficient access to prevention and treatment [worldpneumoniaday.org]

  They may seem weak, vomit, or have diarrhea. Less common symptoms include abdominal pain and a stiff neck. [babycenter.com]

  Confusion, prostration, diarrhea, pneumonia and vertigo are less frequently reported. [dictionary.cambridge.org]

  Though these antibiotics can also cause diarrhea, it happens less frequently. [merckmanuals.com]

• Abdominal Pain

  Some of the symptoms may include: rapid breathing breathing difficulties fever general malaise loss of appetite abdominal pain headache chest pain cough blue colouration of the skin around the mouth (cyanosis), caused by lack of oxygen. [betterhealth.vic.gov.au]

  For instance pneumonia caused by Klebsiella may have the “currant jelly” symptom or bloody sputum, pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumonia is linked with rusty and coloured sputum while Legionella-cuased pneumonia is associated with abdominal pain [symptoma.com]

  The most common include For abortive poliomyelitis fever (up to 103º F) decreased appetite nausea and/or vomiting sore throat not feeling well constipation abdominal pain For nonparalytic poliomyelitis headache, nausea and vomiting may be worse child [childrenshospital.org]

  pain may occur May cause a pertussis-like syndrome Chest Xray: bilateral, patchy, ground glass opacities consistent with viral pneumonia In hematopoietic stem cell transplants, the GI tract is more commonly affected than lungs; cold agglutinins are present [pathologyoutlines.com]

• Chest Pain

  […] no severe problems Chest pain No chest pain or only mild pain No sore throat Sore throat How pneumonia is diagnosed Pneumonia can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are very similar to bronchitis, a bad cold or asthma. [beta.nhs.uk]

  pain, shortness of breath, and weakness. [merckmanuals.com]

  She presented with fever, cough, dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. Chest radiograph showed bilateral infiltrations. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed significant eosinophilia. She was diagnosed with acute eosinophilic pneumonia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  In two studies the presence of chest pain more than doubled the probability of M. pneumoniae. [doi.org]

• Cyanosis

  A 5-month-old infant presented with cyanosis and tachypnea. He had no previous medical or birth history suggesting primary immune deficiency. He was diagnosed with interstitial pneumonia on admission. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Some of the symptoms may include: rapid breathing breathing difficulties fever general malaise loss of appetite abdominal pain headache chest pain cough blue colouration of the skin around the mouth (cyanosis), caused by lack of oxygen. [betterhealth.vic.gov.au]

  Common pneumonia symptoms include: feeling very unwell difficulty breathing fatigue general malaise loss of appetite cough abdominal ache blue colouration around your mouth (cyanosis) – due to lack of oxygen headaches and muscular pain. [healthywa.wa.gov.au]

  In severe cases, patients may present with cyanosis or bluish skin color and decreased consciousness level, indicating poor oxygenation. [docdoc.com.sg]

  Cyanosis or blueness of the skin will occur as the tissues lose their oxygen. Decreased levels of consciousness may occur because of the low blood pressure, decreased brain perfusion, and low oxygenation. [emedicinehealth.com]

• Tachycardia

  A 23-month-old girl visited the emergency department with high fever, cough, first wheezing episode, chest retraction and tachycardia. The chest X-ray revealed consolidation on the left lower lung field; the cardiothoracic ratio was 60%. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] infiltrations, flat frosted glass-like opacity frequently with pleuritis rarely with pleuritis rales, in lobar affliction additionally resonance reduction very discrete rales, or unsuspicious in auscultation sensation of being severely ill, tachypnea, tachycardia [flexikon.doccheck.com]

  Physical examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, hypoxia and decreased breath sounds with fine crackles bilaterally. Chest X-ray showed a right lower lobe infiltrate. [dx.doi.org]

  We thus incorporated a group with "severe sepsis", defined by standard criteria ( Bone 1993 ) which detail definitions of sepsis (fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea and leucocytosis) and end‐organ perfusion abnormalities (hypotension, oliguria, gas exchange [doi.org]

• Hypertension

  He had a past medical history of hypertension for 20 years, which had been adequately managed. Nine days after lung surgery, he developed a fever with dry cough, chest tightness, and muscle pain. [ascopost.com]

  MedCram: Medical topics explained clearly including: Asthma, COPD, Acute Renal Failure, Mechanical Ventilation, Oxygen Hemoglobin Dissociation Curve, Hypertension, Shock, Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA), Medical Acid Base, VQ Mismatch, Hyponatremia, Liver [youtube.com]

  [17] and may signify renal artery stenosis.[18] Prevention of recurrence is based on managing hypertension, coronary artery disease, renovascular hypertension, and heart failure. [en.wikipedia.org]

  Cancer 2,574 29,310 -- 1,651 -- 5,631 Mental disorders 971 -- 1,135 850 10,194 1,849 COPD, asthma 518 24,511 816 672 -- 1,681 Osteoarthritis and other non-traumatic joint disorders 955 -- 1,034 821 5,974 1,931 Diabetes mellitus 770 -- -- 1,493 -- 2,536 Hypertension [web.archive.org]

• Myalgia

  The elderly may present with mainly systemic complaints of malaise, fatigue, anorexia and myalgia. Young children may present with nonspecific symptoms or abdominal pain. [patient.info]

  Forest plot of tests: 1 Cough, 2 Wheeze, 3 Coryza, 4 Crepitations, 5 Fever, 6 Rhonchi, 7 Shortness of breath, 8 Headache, 9 Chest pain, 10 Diarrhoea, 11 Myalgia. [doi.org]

  […] and enlarged cervical lymph nodes Otitis media may occur children under age 1 year Upper respiratory tract infection may progress to involve lower respiratory tract with cough and shortness of breath; often with systemic symptoms of fever, headache, myalgias [pathologyoutlines.com]

  […] historically considered important, as it differentiated those more likely to present with "typical" respiratory symptoms and lobar pneumonia from those more likely to present with "atypical" generalized symptoms (such as fever, headache, sweating and myalgia [en.wikipedia.org]

• Arthralgia

  Arthralgia and myalgia are often reported. Severe complications include pancreatitis, peritonitis, pericarditis, myocarditis, endocarditis and glomerulonephritis. Signs Vital signs should be checked. [patient.info]

  Adverse effects Number and seriousness of adverse effects, including cases of malaise, nausea, fever, arthralgias, rash, headache and more generalised and serious signs. [doi.org]

  Systemic adverse effects include cases of malaise, nausea, fever, arthralgia, rash, headache and more generalised and serious signs such as neurological harms. [dx.doi.org]

• Headache

  You may have: Fever above 100.4 F Headache Severe aches and pains Extreme tiredness Dry, hacking cough These symptoms tend to ease up in 2 to 5 days, but you might have a mild cough or sore throat for 2 weeks. [webmd.com]

  Headache affects the majority of symptomatic sufferers. Fever is relatively unusual. Symptoms may drag on for weeks or months, despite a course of appropriate antibiotics. [patient.info]

  If you add fever, body aches and headache that come on quickly, it could be you have the flu. Pneumonia is usually a complication of cold or flu, when the illness lodges in the lungs. [fox17online.com]

• Confusion

  The clinical history of pneumonia may include one or more of: Pleuritic chest pain Shortness of breath Cough Production of sputum Rigors or night sweats Confusion. [bmj.com]

  A patient's mental state may be confused or delirious. The symptoms of viral pneumonia usually develop over a period of several days. Early symptoms are similar to influenza symptoms : fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. [lung.org]

• Stroke

  Abstract BACKGROUND: Acupuncture treatment is common among stroke patients, but there is limited information available on whether acupuncture effectively prevents post-stroke pneumonia. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] normally sweep and cleanse the airways) or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Whose lungs have recently been irritated by a mild infection, such as a cold or, especially, influenza Who have a poor cough reflex, for example, resulting from a previous stroke [merckmanuals.com]

  Your risk for pneumonia also increases if you have trouble coughing because of a stroke or problems swallowing. You're also at higher risk if you can't move around much or are sedated (given medicine to make you relaxed or sleepy). [web.archive.org]

• Grunting

  Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the presence of hypoxia and increased work of breathing (grunting, nasal flaring, and retractions) were associated with the diagnosis of pneumonia. [doi.org]

  The presence of moderate hypoxemia (oxygen saturation ≤96%; LR, 2.8 [95% CI, 2.1-3.6]; sensitivity, 64%; specificity, 77%) and increased work of breathing (grunting, flaring, and retractions; positive LR, 2.1 [95% CI, 1.6-2.7]) were signs most associated [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  You should go back to see your GP if your child has pneumonia and: their breathing becomes more difficult, or they develop a grunt when they breathe they become more drowsy or sleepy, or are hard to wake they begin vomiting and are unable to drink much [rch.org.au]

  They may also have noisy or rattly breathing, have difficulty with feeding and make a grunting sound with breathing. People older than age 65 years with pneumonia may show signs of confusion or reduced mental awareness. [southerncross.co.nz]

• Seizure

  Some germs that cause pneumonia are not spread from person to person – for example, a person who loses control of breathing (e.g., during a seizure or while intoxicated) could vomit and then inhale stomach contents and bacteria into the lungs and develop [vdh.virginia.gov]

  Reduced consciousness: Whether you're sedated, prone to generalized seizures, or have had anesthesia, these episodes of reduced consciousness can contribute to aspiration pneumonia. [verywell.com]

  A depressed gag reflex, such as from alcohol intoxication, overdose, head injury, stroke or seizure increases the risk of aspiration pneumonia [3]. [ems1.com]

  People with recent viral infections, lung disease, heart disease, and swallowing problems, as well as alcoholics, drug users, and those who have suffered a stroke or seizure are at higher risk for developing pneumonia than the general population. [emedicinehealth.com]

  The ventricular septal shift to the left causes a left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which further increases pulmonary hydrostatic pressures. [6] Neurogenic causes[7] (seizures, head trauma, strangulation, electrocution). [en.wikipedia.org]

Physical examinations and imaging studies are the chief methods of diagnosis [7].

Diagnosis for pneumonia is often based on a combination of physical signs and a chest X-ray. The underlying cause however can be difficult to confirm as there is often no definitive test for distinguishing between pneumonia of bacterial origin and pneumonia of other origins. In children, the WHO guideline defines pneumonia clinically as decreased level of consciousness, chest indrawing, rapid respiratory rate, difficulty in breathing and/or cough.

• Pulmonary Infiltrate

  Twenty-four days after the initiation of daptomycin and sulbactam/ampicillin, he developed a fever and pulmonary infiltration. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] patients with pulmonary infiltrates. [dx.doi.org]

• Pulmonary Infiltrates

  Twenty-four days after the initiation of daptomycin and sulbactam/ampicillin, he developed a fever and pulmonary infiltration. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  […] patients with pulmonary infiltrates. [dx.doi.org]

• Hypercapnia

  High Flow Nasal Cannula may have a mortality benefit in pure hypoxic respiratory failure when compared with NiPPV and should be your first choice for those patients with pneumonia but without hypercapnia. [emdocs.net]

  However, in patients diagnosed with pulmonary emphysema, even a small amount of intra-pleural cavity gas can cause serious hypoxemia and hypercapnia. 2. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

  Despite early physiologic improvements, CPAP neither reduced the need for intubation nor improved outcomes in patients with acute hypoxaemia and non‐hypercapnia respiratory insufficiency primarily due to acute lung injury, including changes from pneumonia [dx.doi.org]

• Pleural Rub

  Signs: tachypnoea, bronchial breathing, crepitations, pleural rub, dullness with percussion. [patient.info]

  […] space, causing a rub heard by auscultation, and it may lead to resolution or to organization and pleural adhesions"[12][13] Causes There are many different causes of pneumonia which can be classified as infective or aspiration pneumonia. [physio-pedia.com]

Pneumonia is often treated with antibiotics. Most of the cases require the intake of oral antibiotics and these are often prescribed at any health care centre [8]. The average case of pneumonia can be treated with inexpensive oral antibiotics at the community level by trained community health workers. Hospitalisation is only recommended for severe cases of pneumonia and for cases of pneumonia in infants younger than 2 months of age.

The prognosis is generally positive as most kinds of bacterial pneumonia stabilises with a week. Most symptoms get resolved within a week. Findings in X-ray clear within four weeks and mortality is generally low [5]. People with other lung conditions and the elderly may recover after a longer period of time (as long as 3 months).

Pneumonia arises due to infections caused primarily by bacteria or viruses. In less common cases, fungi and parasites can bring about pneumonia. Even though over 100 types of infectious agents have been recorded, only a few of these cause the majority of pneumonia cases [2]. In 45% of infections in children, both viruses and bacteria may be responsible for the condition. In adult pneumonia infections, the figure is placed at 15%. Despite careful testing, it is possible to not isolate any causative agent in 50% of pneumonia cases.

Pneumonia is a very common condition that affects around 450 million people around the world. It is equally a major cause of death amongst people of all age groups as it results in over 4 million deaths. This accounts for more than 7% of the total deaths recorded around the world each year. The rates are at their peak in children who are less than five years old and in adults who are older than the age of 75. Every year, more than 1.1 million children with the condition die every year [3]. The occurrence is 5 times lower in the developed world when compared to the developing world. In the United States for example, pneumonia is the 8th leading cause of deaths.

Viral cases

The Viruses can enter the lung via different routes. For instance, respiratory syncytial virus is often contacted when individuals touch contaminated objects before touching their eyes or nose while other forms of viral infections occur when contaminated airborne droplets get inhaled through the mouth or nose. As soon as they get into the upper airway, the viruses will move to the lungs where the cells lining the airways, lung parenchyma and the alveoli get invaded [4].

Bacterial cases

The bacteria get into the lungs through small aspirations of organisms that reside in the throat or nose. Most normal people have these aspirations while asleep. Although the throat contains bacteria always, the potentially infectious ones are found there only at certain periods and under specific conditions. Contaminated airborne droplets are responsible for the deposition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Legionella pneumophilia. The bacteria can also spread via the blood. As soon as the bacteria is in the lungs, the spaces between cells and alveoli are invaded and the neutrophils and macrophages attempt to get rid of the bacteria. The resultant combination brings about the image seen in X-ray.

The prevention of pneumonia is one of the most important strategies to reduce the incidence of child mortality. The most effective way to prevent pneumonia is immunization against measles,pertussis, Pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae type B.

Adequate nutrition is also important in improving the natural defences of a child beginning with exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. In addition to being effective in the prevention of pneumonia, the length of periods of illness in a child is reduced greatly [9].

The number of people who fall ill with pneumonia can also be prevented by encouraging good hygiene in crowded homes and addressing of environmental factors such as indoor pollution.

For children who are infected with HIV, daily intake of cotrimoxazole is required so as to decrease the risk of contracting pneumonia.

Pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection of the lungs [1]. The lungs are filled with small sacs called alveoli. These fill when a healthy individual breathes in. In an individual with any form of pneumonia, the sac get s filled with pus and fluid and this makes breathing painful, thereby limiting the individual’s ability to take in oxygen.

Pneumonia is a condition that affects the air sacs in either one lung or both. Cough producing phlegm or pus, difficulty in breathing, chills and fever are common symptoms of this condition and this happens when the affected air sac gets filled with fluid or pus. 

There are different types of organisms that can cause pneumonia. This includes bacteria, viruses and fungi. 

The level of seriousness of this condition varies greatly but it is the most serious amongst infants, young children and people older than 65 years of age. People with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems also get more serious cases of pneumonia. 

The chances of recovery from pneumonia is high though as there are several antiviral medications for treating it. 

1. Guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in adults; British Thoracic Society (2009), Thorax Vol 64 Sup III
2. Durrington HJ, Summers C; Recent changes in the management of community acquired pneumonia in adults. BMJ. 2008 Jun 21;336(7658):1429-33.
3. Guidelines for the management of adult lower respiratory tract infections, European Respiratory Society and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (September 2011)
4. Chest infections - adult, Prodigy (August 2007)
5. Bartlett JG; Is activity against "atypical" pathogens necessary in the treatment protocols for Clin Infect Dis. 2008 Dec 1;47 Suppl 3:S232-6.
6. Rudan I, Boschi-Pinto C, Biloglav Z, et al. Epidemiology and etiology of childhood pneumonia. Bull World Health Organ 2008; 86:408.
7. Harris M, Clark J, Coote N, et al. British Thoracic Society guidelines for the management of community acquired pneumonia in children: update 2011. Thorax 2011; 66 Suppl 2:ii1.
8. Margolis P, Gadomski A. The rational clinical examination. Does this infant have pneumonia? JAMA 1998; 279:308.
9. Fiore AE, Shay DK, Broder K, et al. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009. MMWR Recomm Rep 2009; 58:1.
10. Jokinen C, Heiskanen L, Juvonen H, et al. Incidence of community-acquired pneumonia in the population of four municipalities in eastern Finland. Am J Epidemiol 1993; 137:977.