Is Pneumonia Serious?

Pneumonia is a lung disease. Other names of this disease are pneumonitis and
bronchopneumonia. This disease transpires into the lungs because of too much bacteria and
viruses living in the nose, sinuses and mouth. These germs get into the lungs as people,
unknowingly, breathe in. Dusty air may also transpire this disease.

Causes

Pneumonia is due to infections caused primarily by bacteria or viruses and less commonly by
fungi and parasites or other microorganisms. There will be an inflammatory condition of the
lung, affecting primarily the small air sacs known as alveoli. Factors that predispose to
pneumonia include smoking, immunodeficiency, alcoholism, asthma and old age. Risks in
children include the exposure of cigarettes, air pollution and poverty. A fungus called
Pneumocystis jiroveci can cause pneumonia in people whose immune system is not working
well, especially people with advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections.

Consequences

There are a lot of painful consequences of having pneumonia. People usually cough during
pneumonia or fatigue. They may have shortness of breathing and may suffer from fever or,
more likely, chest pain when breathed deeply. Pneumonia can range from a mild to serious
or life-threatening infection and can sometimes lead to death. Additionally, pneumonia is
the leading cause of death worldwide for children under 5 years of age.
Solution

Solution includes vaccination, environmental measures and appropriate treatment of other

health problems. Vaccination prevents against certain bacterial and viral pneumonias both
in children and adults. Flu jabs are modestly effective at preventing symptoms of a highly
contagious viral infection of the respiratory passages, known as influenza.

“Pneumonia is a very painful disease. This causes pain in the lungs. Coughing,
fever, difficulties in breathing, chest pain and other mental problems are the
consequences. Hence, vaccination should be applied to fight against these bacterial
or viral pneumonia. We should also be aware about the germs in our nose, sinuses
and mouth. We need must not inhale polluted air or cigarette smokes.”