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10 facts about pneumonia

Pneumonia is a lung inflammation that can occur in chronically ill elderly people and young children below the age of five.

Here are ten things that you need to know about pneumonia and how to treat it.

1. Pneumonia is an inflammation of the air spaces in the lungs.

2. Pneumonia may be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi.  Streptococcus pneumoniae, a type of bacteria, is the most common cause of pneumonia. And the most common cause of viral pneumonia is the influenza virus.

3. Pneumonia can be fatal in severe cases.

4. Signs and symptoms of the infection are similar to a cold - sneezing, coughing, a sort throat and shortness of breath. A high fever, chest pains and chills follow.  

5. The following factors increase the risk of developing pneumonia:

- a weakened immune system due to disease
- chronic disease such as sickle cell anemia, heart disease or diabetes
- being in the intensive-care unit of a hospital, especially if on ventilator support

6. A chest x-ray can detect pneumonia but not the cause of the infection.

7. Most cases can be treated with antibiotics and improvements are seen within three to five days, although those who are hospitalised may take longer to recover.  However, antibiotics are not effective against viral pneumonia. Antiviral medication is needed in that case.

8. A pneumonia vaccine can protect serious complications of the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia.  

9. Potential complications of pneumonia include fluid accumulating in the space between the lung tissue and chest wall lining.  

10. Pneumonia is the leading infectious killer of children under five years of age. It mostly affects children in poor and rural communities in countries such as India, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and parts of East and Central Africa.

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