• Pneumonia is an infection of our lungs.

• Infections are commonly viral and bacterial, but fungal and tuberculosis can also causepneumonia.

• Common symptoms are moderate to high grade fever, cough with or without phlegm, breathingdifficulty and chest heaviness.

• Sometimes blood mixed phlegm or frank blood on coughing can also be present.

• These symptoms usually start suddenly.

• All age groups and both genders can be affected.

• Elderly persons, those with other health conditions like diabetes, chronic heart, lung and kidney disease, alcoholics and immunocompromised persons are at greater risk of developing pneumonia complications.

• The two main complications of pneumonia are respiratory failure requiring mechanicalventilation, sepsis and septic shock.

• Diagnosis of pneumonia requires a chest x-ray, CT chest and examination of phlegm.

• In selected cases, a Bronchoscopy may be necessitated.

• Antibiotics are the mainstay of treating pneumonia.

• Timely diagnosis, and a proper course of right antibiotics affects cure in the majority of patients.

• Following hand hygiene and avoiding crowded places especially by those having other health conditions, helps prevent pneumonia.

• Annual influenza vaccine and the pneumococcal vaccine are important in preventing pneumonia, and should be taken as advised by your physician.