Cause: Bacteria – commonly due to pneumococcal bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae. Other bacteria that can cause pneumonia are haemophilus influenza, mycoplasma pneumonaiae, legionella pneumophila and staphylococcus aureus.

Virus – viral pneumonia in adults are commonly due to influenza virus(flu) and rhinovirus (common cold); in children, it’s respiratory syncytial virus (RSV); SARS-CoV-2 and COVID 19 can lead to viral pneumonia.

Fungi – Pneumocystis jirovecii is fungus causing fungal pneumonia especially people with weak immune system.

Symptoms: Patients with pneumonia experiences the following symptoms: cough producing greenish, yellowish or bloody mucus; fever with shaking chills, shortness of breath, chest pains when breathing or coughing and extreme fatigue and low energy.

Diagnosis: Doctors listens to patient’s lungs hearing the following sounds: crackles, harsh-high pitched tubular sound, when larger airways are affected has low pitched snoring or rattling sound and when outer lining of lungs are affected, has dry grating sound;  checking all signs and symptoms; and may require chest x-rays.

Risk Factors: Higher risk of pneumonia can be seen in the following factors:

Age – children 2 years old and younger since their immune system is still developing. Adults 65 years old and older since their immune system are weakened.

Environment – people get pneumonia from other people in their community and/or live and spends most time in crowded areas and those regularly breathes air pollution or toxic fumes.

Lifestyle habits – using drugs, alcohol and those smoking weakens one’s immune system.

Other medical conditions – like lung diseases i.e. asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis; conditions that weakened immune system like undergoing chemotherapy, HIV/AIDS, pregnant women, malnutrition, diabetics, those with liver & kidney disease.

Treatment: Antibiotics are given to those with bacterial pneumonia and supportive care to other types of pneumonia.

Prevention: Pneumococcal vaccines are recommended to 2 years old & younger and 65 years old and older; yearly flu vaccine is advisable; do not smoke; wash hands often and keep immune system strong by having healthy eating habits and doing plenty of physical activities.