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· MD Medicine
Pneumonia
Lung infection · Air sacs fill with fluid
Bacteria, viruses or fungi infect lung air sacs, causing fever, cough and breathlessness. Vaccines and prompt antibiotics save lives.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- Common, often serious
- Typical age
- Very young and elderly
- Outlook
- Curable
- System
- Lungs
Reviewed by a verified MD Medicine doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Influenza, RSV, COVID
- Aspiration in elderly
- Immune suppression
- Hospital-acquired in ICU
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- High fever, chills
- Cough with green / yellow sputum
- Chest pain on breathing
- Breathlessness
- Confusion in elderly
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Chest X-ray and sputum culture
- Oral antibiotics for mild cases
- IV antibiotics + oxygen for severe
- Pneumococcal and flu vaccines
- Treat underlying COPD / heart failure
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Pneumococcal vaccine over 65 / high risk
- Annual flu vaccine
- Don't smoke, treat COPD
- Avoid pollution
Do’s
- Vaccinate the elderly
- Treat infection promptly
- Hydrate, rest
- Practice respiratory etiquette
Don’ts
- Self-prescribe antibiotics
- Ignore confusion in elderly
- Skip vaccines because 'fit'
- Smoke during recovery
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.