Pneumonia

Pneumonia

Lung inflammation caused by bacterial or viral infection, in which the air sacs fill with pus and may become solid. Inflammation may affect both lungs (double pneumonia) and only one (single pneumonia)

Causes

It occurs outside of hospitals and other health care facilities, and may be caused by:

Bacteria, such as Streptococcus pneumonia. ...

Bacteria-like organisms, such as Mycoplasma pneumonia, which typically produce milder signs and symptoms than do other types of pneumonia.

Sign and Symptoms

Cough, often producing mucus, also called sputum, from the lungs. Mucus may be rusty or green or tinged with blood.

Fever, which may be less common in older adults.

Shaking, "teeth-chattering" chills.

Fast, often shallow, breathing and the feeling of being short of breath.

Chest wall pain that is often made worse by coughing or breathing in.

Fast heartbeat.

Feeling very tired or weak.

Nausea and vomiting.

Diarrhea.

Vaccination

Pneumococcal vaccination is a method of preventing a specific type of lung infection (pneumonia) that is caused by pneumococcus bacterium. There are more than 80 different types of pneumococcus bacteria -- 23 of them covered by the vaccine. The vaccine is injected into the body to stimulate the normal immune system to produce antibodies that are directed against pneumococcus bacteria.

In children, especially under the age of 2, a special conjugated vaccine has been developed to stimulate less developed immune systems. Originally only covering seven serotypes, the newer vaccine released in 2010, now covers 13 serotypes of pneumococcus (Prevnar 13).