Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known

as alveoli.
Pneumonia may be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, or fungi; less frequently by
other causes. The most common bacterial type that causes pneumonia is Streptococcus
pneumoniae.
The signs and symptoms of pneumonia may include:
Cough, which may produce greenish, yellow or even bloody mucus
Fever
Sharp or stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough
Loss of appetite, low energy,
Confusion, especially in older people
When to call a doctor
If you think you or your child has symptoms of pneumonia, don't wait for the disease to get
even worse before you seek care. Call your doctor. And see your doctor right away if you have
difficulty breathing, develop a bluish color in your lips and fingertips, have chest pain, a high
fever, or a cough with mucus that is severe or is getting worse.

It's especially important to get medical attention for pneumonia if you are in a high-risk group,
including adults older than age 65, children age two or younger, people with an underlying
health condition or weakened immune system.
Treatment
Treatment for pneumonia depends on the type of pneumonia you have, how sick you are
feeling, your age, and whether you have other health conditions. The goals of treatment are to
cure the infection and prevent complications. It is important to follow your treatment plan
carefully until you are fully recovered.
Take any medications as prescribed by your doctor. If your pneumonia is caused by bacteria,
you will be given an antibiotic. It is important to take all the antibiotic until it is gone, even
though you will probably start to feel better in a couple of days. If you stop, you risk having the
infection come back, and you increase the chances that the germs will be resistant to treatment
in the future
If you have viral pneumonia, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication to treat it.