Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lungs that causes the air sacs in the lungs to fill with pus and other liquid. The infection may be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mycoplasma. In general, pneumonia is divided into 2 types: community-acquired, or hospital- or nursing home-acquired.
You may get pneumonia through a simple encounter with an organism that you breathe into your lungs. Whether or not illness occurs depends several factors, including the contagiousness of the organism, the number of organisms that are inhaled, and the ability of the immune system to fight infections.
In the US, pneumonia is a very common illness, especially among people who are elderly.
Community-acquired pneumonia in adults. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115170/Community-acquired-...umonia-in-adults. Updated August 15, 2016. Accessed November 10, 2016.
Community-acquired pneumonia in children. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T113670/Community-acquired-pn...onia-in-children. Updated May 17, 2016. Accessed November 10, 2016.
Koulenti D, Rello J. Hospital-acquired pneumonia in the 21st century: a review of existing treatment options and their impact on patient care. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2006;7(12):1555-1569.
Learn about pneumonia. American Lung Association website. Available at: http://www.lung.org/lung-health-and-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/learn-about-pneumonia.html. Accessed November 10, 2016.
Mandell LA, Wunderink RG, Anzueto A, et al. Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society consensus guidelines on the management of community-acquired pneumonia in adults. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;44 Suppl 2:S27-S72.
Pneumonia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/pnu. Updated September 26, 2016. Accessed November 10, 2016.
Last reviewed November 2016 by David L. Horn, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.