Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the general term that refers to an infection of the lungs, which can be caused by a variety of microorganisms. The most common causes of pneumonia are viruses and bacteria. The less common causes of infectious pneumonia include fungi and parasites.The symptoms vary on the severity of the situation; however, some symptoms are: fever, chills, cough, unusually rapid breathing, vomiting, chest pain, abdominal pain, and in extreme cases, bluish or gray color of the lips and fingernails. Most cases of pneumonia can be treated without hospitalization. Typically, oral antibiotics along with rest and home care are enough for a recovery. However, people with pneumonia who have trouble breathing, people with other medical problems, and the elderly may need additional treatment. With treatment, most types of bacterial pneumonia can be cured within one to two weeks. Viral pneumonia may last longer, and mycoplasmal pneumonia may take four to six weeks to recover from. Pneumonia is a common illness and occurs in all age groups, and is a leading cause of death among the elderly and people who are chronically ill. Pneumonia is a common illness in all parts of the world, in the United States treatment is available; however, in countries where there is limited accessibility to hospitals there are more cases of pneumonia that go untreated. It is a major cause of death among all age groups. The majority of deaths in children happen in newborns, with over two million deaths a year worldwide. The World Health Organization estimated that one in three newborn infant deaths are due to pneumonia. Mortality from pneumonia generally decreases with age until late adulthood. Elderly individuals, however, are at a higher risk. Pneumonia cases usually happen more during the winter months than during other times of the year. It also occurs more commonly in males than females, and more often in African Americans than Caucasians. Individuals with illnesses like Alzheimer's disease,