Pneumonia is when your lungs are infected by a bug. There are different types of pneumonia, which are caused by different bugs. The most common sort is caused by bacteria called pneumococcus.

Pneumonia isn't very unusual but mainly affects older people that are more susceptible to illness and chest infections. However, younger people and people with immune disorders can get pneumonia too.

What causes pneumonia and who can get it?

Pneumonia is the inflammation of your lungs and is usually caused by an infection. Many different bacteria, viruses and fungi can cause pneumonia; it’s spread by breathing in these various bugs.

Bacterial pneumonia

Bacterial pneumonia is the most common form of pneumonia in adults and is usually more serious. It often affects people that have another respiratory illness such as flu. It can also affect people with immune deficiencies.

Respiratory viruses

Respiratory viruses are the most common cause of pneumonia in younger children.

Fungal pneumonia

Fungal pneumonia is almost always linked to an immunodeficiency. This is when you have an under lying problem with your immune system and it can’t fight off infection.

Aspiration pneumonia

Aspiration pneumonia is caused by inhaling a foreign material that’s not meant to go into your lungs, such as food or vomit.

Younger people that get pneumonia usually do so because of some factor that increases their risk, things such as smoking, heavy drinking or an underlying illness.

What are the signs and symptoms of pneumonia?

Symptoms of pneumonia usually start with shivering fits, fever, pain in the chest and coughing. A few days later, you might start coughing up mucus. This can be yellow, blood-stained or brown. It can also hurt to breathe in deeply or cough.

How is it normally diagnosed and treated?

A doctor will listen to your chest and look at chest x-rays to find out if you have pneumonia.

Treatment depends on the bug that caused the pneumonia. If it was caused by bacteria, then antibiotics can treat it.

Antibiotics aren't effective against viral pneumonia. If you have viral pneumonia your body has to fight the infection on its own. The recommended treatment is the same as for flu - rest and drinking plenty of fluids.

For all types of pneumonia, painkillers such as paracetamol can help to ease the pain and fever and it is important to drink lots of fluids to keep yourself hydrated.

If your case of pneumonia is very bad, you haven’t responded to treatment or you have an underlying lung disease you may have to go into hospital for further treatment. Otherwise, for most cases of pneumonia hospital treatment isn’t needed and you will recover in a few weeks.

What’s going to help?

Vaccines are available to prevent some common types of pneumonia such as pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pneumonia can also be a complication of the flu virus, especially in older people, so the influenza vaccine that protects against flu can also help to reduce your risk of pneumonia.

If you already have pneumonia there are precautions you can take to stop it spreading to other people:

• Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
• Throw away any used tissues and don’t leave them lying around.
• Wash your hands regularly.
• Avoid contact with anyone who is at increased risk of getting pneumonia, such as the elderly.

Looking forward

Pneumonia can be treated successfully in most people. But if left untreated it can be a very serious disease in the elderly and people with immune deficiencies.

A good precaution for everyone against pneumonia is to not smoke. Smoking damages the airways of your lungs making your lungs more vulnerable to infection.

For more help and information

If you would like to know more about pneumonia, please ask your doctor.

British Lung Foundation

Last reviewed by Great Ormond Street Hospital: 11 October 2007

Copyright © Great Ormond Street Hospital