Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Pneumonia

Pneumonia means infection or inflammation of the lung tissue.  The most common type of pneumonia is bronchopneumonia, which affects the smallest airways in the lungs (the bronchioles).  If the infection spreads to one or more compartments in the lung (lobes) it is called lobar pneumonia.

Pneumonia most commonly affects people over the age of 70 and, although usually treatable, is still the most common cause of death from infection.  Pneumonia is much more rare than it used to be in children and young adults, however, it can be a serious condition, particularly for the elderly or people with weakened immune systems.

The outcome of pneumonia depends on many factors, including:

• the degree of resistance (immunity) to the infection,
• the age of the patient,
• the type and size of the infecting organisms,
• the speed of diagnosis, and
• the availability of antibiotics.

• Symptoms
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• References

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