8 Home Remedies for Bronchitis to Ease Coughing and Wheezing

Deadly Diseases

The Greek physician Hippocrates described the symptoms of pneumonia 2,400 years ago. But this affliction of the lungs still kills more people in the United States than any other infectious disease, taking 40,000 to 70,000 lives each year. It is the most common lethal nosocomial, or hospital-acquired, infection.

The term "pneumonia" describes a group of symptoms that may be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or fungi. Pneumonia is a severe inflammation of the lungs in which the thin tissue around air spaces called alveoli swells and fills with fluid. Symptoms include shaking, chills, a rapidly rising fever, and sharp chest pain made worse by breathing and coughing. Pneumonia is a common cause of death among elderly people and young children whose immune systems are weakened or impaired in some way.

A common bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae, lives in the respiratory tract of 15 percent of the population without causing problems. It can spread pneumonia only if inhaled deeply into the lungs. The germ travels via droplets conveyed through coughing, sneezing, and even talking in close proximity. Bacterial pneumonia is most common in winter and spring, when upper respiratory tract infections are frequent. Pneumonia is also a common complication of influenza.

Most cases of bacterial pneumonia can be effectively treated with penicillin. Between 1936 and 1945, pneumonia death rates in the United States dropped approximately 40 percent with the greater availability of antibiotics. The more common viral pneumonia usually diminishes on its own, but all strains of pneumonia can be serious if neglected, and people should always seek medical supervision for their care.

Along with other acute respiratory infections, pneumonia is in a near tie with diarrheal diseases as a leading cause of death in children under 5 worldwide. It's estimated that pneumonia kills approximately two million children each year, with 40 percent of these deaths in Africa. More than two-thirds of pneumonia deaths among children in the developing world are caused by just two kinds of bacteria: Pneumoccoccus and Hemophilus influenzae.

Trained community health workers can dramatically reduce these deaths when they teach parents to identify the early signs of pneumonia: rapid breathing and violent shaking in the chest. At present, as many as two-thirds of children with acute respiratory infections are not treated by trained health providers. Even the simplest understanding of how to count the number of breaths a child takes per minute can help community health workers and parents recognize pneumonia and administer antibiotics if appropriate, or seek help at a clinic or hospital.

Time is often of the essence with pneumonia: Severe pneumonia can kill victims within hours as they literally drown in the fluids flooding their lungs. In Honduras, pneumonia treatment is part of a national, integrated community child care program that trains community volunteers to monitor children's growth, provide health education, and treat pneumonia and diarrhea.

A major contributing factor to respiratory infections is indoor air pollution. We tend to think of this type of air pollution as a problem in the industrialized world, but half of the world's people rely on dung, wood, crop waste, or coal for cooking and heating. These solid fuels cause high levels of particulate matter in the developing world that are 100 times higher than concentrations in the United States or Europe. Poor ventilation of smoke makes breathing difficult and exposes young children to severe respiratory infections. Reducing indoor air pollution may require switching to cleaner and more efficient fuels such as liquid petroleum, electricity, or solar power, and the cooperation of governments. Pneumonia is also a leading cause of immediate death among AIDS patients.

Vaccines against certain kinds of pneumonia exist for adults, but many high-risk patients do not routinely receive them. A relatively new pneumococcal vaccine for children called Prevnar, introduced by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, has proved effective in the United States, dramatically reducing disease incidence by approximately 80 percent. But the $50-per-dose U.S. Price makes it far too expensive to be widely used in the developing world. Another H Flu (Hib) vaccine has also been found to be effective in field testing. International health economists are searching for a better way to fund lifesaving vaccines than relying on the free market alone.

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Why Pneumonia Can Be Deadly For Some People

Generally, those at greatest risk for serious complications from pneumonia have a weaker immune system or a condition or lifestyle factor that affects their lungs.

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. When you have pneumonia, the tiny air sacs in your lungs become inflamed and can fill with fluid or even pus.

Pneumonia can range from a mild to serious or life-threatening infection and can sometimes lead to death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 50,000 people in the United States died from pneumonia in 2015. Additionally, pneumonia is the leading cause of death worldwide for children under 5 years of age.

Who's at risk for a severe or life-threatening case of pneumonia and why? What are the symptoms to look out for? How can you prevent infection? Read on to learn more.

Pneumonia can affect anyone. But there are some at an increased risk for developing a severe or life-threatening infection.

People that are at an increased risk for having a serious or life-threatening case of pneumonia include:

children younger than 2 years old

adults aged 65 and older

people who are hospitalized, particularly if they've been placed on a ventilator

individuals with a chronic disease or condition, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or diabetes

people with a weakened immune system due to a chronic condition, chemotherapy, or an organ transplant

those who smoke cigarettes

Pneumonia symptoms may be milder or subtler in many at-risk populations. This is because many at-risk groups have a weakened immune system or a chronic or acute condition.

Because of this, these people may not receive the care that they need until the infection has become severe. It's very important to be aware of the development of any symptoms and to seek prompt medical attention.

Additionally, pneumonia can worsen preexisting chronic conditions, particularly those of the heart and lungs. This can lead to a rapid decline in condition.

Most people do eventually recover from pneumonia. However, the 30-day mortality rate is 5 to 10 percent of hospitalized patients. It can be up to 30 percent in those admitted to intensive care.

The cause of your pneumonia can often determine the severity of the infection.

Viral

Viral pneumonia is typically a milder disease and symptoms occur gradually. However, it's important to note that viral pneumonias can sometimes be further complicated when a bacterial infection develops at the same time or following the viral pneumonia.

Bacterial

These pneumonias are often more severe. Symptoms can either develop gradually or come on suddenly and can affect one or many lobes of the lung. When multiple lobes of the lungs are affected, the person typically requires hospitalization. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial pneumonia. Complications such as bacteremia can also occur.

You may have heard of "walking pneumonia." Unlike other types, this form of bacterial pneumonia is typically very mild and you may not even know you have it.

Fungal

Fungal pneumonia is typically more common in people with a weakened immune system and these infections can be very serious.

Pneumonia can also be classified by where it is acquired — within the community or within a hospital or healthcare setting. Pneumonia acquired from a hospital or healthcare setting is often more dangerous because you're already sick or unwell.

Additionally, bacteria pneumonia that's acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting may be more severe due to the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance.

If you or a loved one has the following symptoms, you should make an appointment with a doctor to be evaluated for possible pneumonia:

abnormal body temperature, such as fever and chills or a lower-than-normal body temperature in older adults or people with weak immune systems

shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

cough, possibly with mucus or phlegm

chest pain when you cough or breathe

tiredness or fatigue

confusion, particularly in older adults

nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

You can help to prevent serious or life-threatening pneumonia infection by doing the following:

Monitoring your health

Be aware of any worrying symptoms, particularly if you have any risk factors. Also, remember that pneumonia can also follow other respiratory infections, so be aware of any new or worsening symptoms if you're already or have recently been sick.

Getting vaccinated

Many vaccines can help prevent infections that can potentially cause pneumonia. These include:

Practicing good hygiene

Wash your hands frequently, particularly:

after using the bathroom

before eating

before touching your hands, face, and mouth

Use hand sanitizer if soap isn't available.

Living a healthy lifestyle

Avoid smoking cigarettes and be sure to keep your immune system boosted through regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can sometimes lead to severe or life-threatening illness and even death.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of pneumonia, it's important to go see a doctor, particularly if you have certain risk factors. If left untreated, the infection can rapidly worsen and become life-threatening. Early diagnosis is key and leads to better outcomes.

What Is Pneumonia?

Pneumonia is the #1 infectious cause of preventable child deaths, claiming the lives of more than 800,000 a year.

Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that occurs when the lungs become inflamed from breathing in polluted air, like viruses, bacteria and other dangerous toxins. While pneumonia symptoms are similar to the common cold, it becomes life threatening when children are exposed to indoor and outdoor air pollution and lack access to clean water, nutrient-rich diets and affordable healthcare.

For countless millions more children, pneumonia is a source of distress, suffering and debilitating long-term health problems. Newborn babies and children under age two are the most vulnerable of all, sometimes forced to fight for every gasping breath before even learning to walk or talk.

Despite our effort and progress, pneumonia continues to kill over 800,000 children under the age of 5[i] each year.

Every 39 seconds, a child dies from pneumonia.

Pneumonia matters because it is preventable and treatable, yet it remains the main source of infectious child mortality year over year. If diagnosed accurately and early, pneumonia treatment can be accomplished with a three-to-five day course of antibiotics costing just $0.40. However, this disease thrives in impoverished settings or areas without nearby medical resources.

Due to the lack of cost-effective pneumonia treatment and diagnosis, nearly all pneumonia-related deaths in children occur in developing countries. Save the Children is active in the countries where it's most fatal to be a child with pneumonia. They include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Without proper healthcare, children under age five will continue to die.

When Is World Pneumonia Day?

This year, World Pneumonia Day falls on November 12, 2024. Since 2009, the world annually observes World Pneumonia Day on November 12 to promote the awareness, prevention and protection from the primary infectious cause of child preventable deaths.

Save the Children recognizes that the threat of pneumonia for marginalized children requires more attention and action than just one day. Save the Children is a leader when it comes to combatting pneumonia. Child survivors of pneumonia, like Suleka and Hakaroom, highlight our success and response in fragile communities.

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