Pneumonia

A major lung infection, pneumonia causes the air sacs in either one or both lungs to swell and fill with pus. Microorganisms, viruses, fungi, or airborne irritants can all cause it. Among common pathogens are respiratory viruses like influenza and COVID-19 as well as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae.
Fever, chills, coughing with phlegm, chest pain, dyspnoea, and tiredness are among the varyingly severe symptoms. Particularly in young infants, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems, severe forms of pneumonia can cause problems including respiratory failure, sepsis, or lung abscesses.
Diagnosis calls for laboratory testing, chest X-rays, and physical examination. Treatment relies on the aetiology; fungal pneumonia is treated with antifungal treatments, bacterial pneumonia calls for antibiotics, and viral pneumonia is controlled with antiviral therapies and supportive care. Severe cases may require hospitalisation.
Vaccines (such as flu and pneumococcal ones), good hand hygiene, and avoiding smoking, which compromises lung defences, constitute part of prevention. Reducing danger also depends on maintaining a strong immune system through a healthy lifestyle. Prevention of complications and guarantee of a complete recovery from pneumonia depend on early medical intervention.