1. Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of alveoli in the lungs causing formation of fluid in the lungs. This condition is called consolidation and exudation.
2. Causes of pneumonia are infection due to bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites, chemical burns or physical injury to the lungs.
3. Influenza virus, adenovirus, para influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are some viruses that can cause pneumonia. Bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae and fungal pathogens e.g. Pneumocystis jirovecii and Pneumocystis carinii can also spread infection of pneumonia. Chemical burns of physical injury to lungs also cause similar infection.
4. Main symptoms of infectious pneumonia are cough producing greenish or yellow sputum or phlegm and a high fever with chills.
5. Shortness of breath or dyspnea, stabbing chest pain, coughing up blood, headaches, sweaty and clammy skin, loss of appetite, fatigue, blueness of the skin, nausea, vomiting, mood swings and joint pains or muscle aches are some other symptoms.
6. Preventive vaccination against pneumonia is available. Medicines such as Benzyl penicillin, Ampicillin and Chloramphenicol are effective to prevent pneumonia.
