Even with treatment, some people with pneumonia, especially those in high-risk groups, may experience complications, including:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Pneumonia and your lungs Open pop-up dialog box Close.
Pneumonia and your lungs Most pneumonia occurs when a breakdown in your body's natural defenses allows germs to invade and multiply within your lungs. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Pneumonia. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed April 15, Community-acquired pneumonia adult.
Rochester, Minn. Goldman L, et al. Overview of pneumonia. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed April 18, Schauner S, et al. Journal of Family Practice. Pneumonia is often caused by viruses, such as the influenza virus flu and adenovirus. Other viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus RSV and human metapneumovirus , are common causes of pneumonia in young kids and babies.
Bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause pneumonia, too. People with bacterial pneumonia are usually sicker than those with viral pneumonia, but they can be treated with antibiotic medications. You might have heard the terms "double pneumonia" or "walking pneumonia. It's common for pneumonia to affect both lungs, so don't worry if your doctor says this is what you have — it doesn't mean you're twice as sick.
Walking pneumonia refers to pneumonia that is mild enough that you may not even know you have it. Walking pneumonia also called atypical pneumonia because it's different from the typical bacterial pneumonia is common in teens and is often caused by a tiny microorganism, Mycoplasma pneumoniae pronounced: my-co-PLAZ-ma noo-MO-nee-ay.
Like the typical bacterial pneumonia, walking pneumonia also can be treated with antibiotics. It's common for a person with pneumonia to start out with something milder like a cough or sore throat — which also can happen in other infections.
But pneumonia is a bit worse because the infection goes down into the lungs. When pneumonia is caused by bacteria, a person tends to become sick quickly, develop a high fever, and have difficulty breathing. When it's caused by a virus, the illness comes on more gradually and might be less severe. Someone's symptoms can help the doctor identify the type of pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumoniae , for example, often causes headaches, sore throats, and rash in addition to the symptoms listed above. Respiratory failure.
This requires the use of a breathing machine or ventilator. This is when the infection gets into the blood. It may lead to organ failure. The main types of pneumonia are bacterial, viral, and mycoplasma pneumonia. A cough that produces green, yellow, or bloody mucus is the most common symptom of pneumonia.
Other symptoms include fever, shaking chills, shortness of breath, low energy, and extreme tiredness. Pneumonia can often be diagnosed with a thorough history and physical exam. Tests used to look at the lungs, blood tests, and tests done on the sputum you cough up may also be used. It may also speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia and some special cases. Other treatment may include a healthy diet, more fluids, rest, oxygen therapy, and medicine for pain, cough, and fever control.
Most people with pneumonia respond well to treatment, but pneumonia can cause serious lung and infection problems. It can even be deadly. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Lobar pneumonia affects one or more sections lobes of the lungs. Bronchial pneumonia also known as bronchopneumonia affects patches throughout both lungs. What causes pneumonia? The main types of pneumonia are: Bacterial pneumonia.
Who is at risk for pneumonia? Anyone can get pneumonia. However, the following groups are at the highest risk: Adults ages 65 and older Children younger than age 2 People with certain medical conditions People that smoke What are the symptoms of pneumonia? How is pneumonia diagnosed? The following tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis: Chest X-ray.
Hospital treatment may include:. Pneumonia may cause complications, especially in people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, such as diabetes.
The first line of defense against pneumonia is to get vaccinated. There are several vaccines that can help prevent pneumonia. These two pneumonia vaccines help protect against pneumonia and meningitis caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Your doctor can tell you which one might be better for you. Prevnar 13 is effective against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The CDC recommends this vaccine for:. Pneumovax 23 is effective against 23 types of pneumococcal bacteria. The CDC recommends it for:.
Pneumonia can often be a complication of the flu, so be sure to also get an annual flu shot. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated, particularly those who may be at risk of flu complications. This vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b Hib , a type of bacterium that can cause pneumonia and meningitis. Together with vaccination and additional prevention steps, you can help reduce your risk of getting pneumonia.
Here are even more prevention tips. A variety of infectious agents cause pneumonia. With proper recognition and treatment, many cases of pneumonia can be cleared without complications.
For bacterial infections, stopping your antibiotics early can cause the infection to not clear completely. This means your pneumonia could come back. Stopping antibiotics early can also contribute to antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic-resistant infections are more difficult to treat. Viral pneumonia often resolves in 1 to 3 weeks with at-home treatment. In some cases, you may need antivirals. Pneumonia that occurs during pregnancy is called maternal pneumonia.
Pregnant people are more at risk of developing conditions like pneumonia. This is due to the natural suppression of the immune system that happens during pregnancy. However, you may notice some of them more later on in your pregnancy due to other discomforts you may be encountering.
Maternal pneumonia can lead to a variety of complications, such as premature birth and low birth weight. Pneumonia can be a rather common childhood condition. The causes of childhood pneumonia can vary by age. For example, pneumonia due to respiratory viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae , and Haemophilus influenzae is more common in children under 5 years old. Pneumonia due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae is frequently observed in children between the ages of 5 and Mycoplasma pneumoniae is one of the causes of walking pneumonia.
Pneumonia can become dangerous quickly, particularly in young children. Most people respond to treatment and recover from pneumonia.
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