Opportunistic etiological agents causing lung infections: emerging need to transform lung-targeted delivery

Pneumonia: What To Know

Pneumonia is a lung infection that can range from mild to so serious that you have to go to the hospital. It happens when an infection causes air sacs in your lungs (the alveoli) and tubes in your airways that connect to them (bronchioles) to fill with fluid or pus. That can make it hard for you to breathe in enough oxygen.

Anyone can get this lung infection. But children younger than 2 and people over 65 are at higher risk. That's because their immune systems might not be strong enough to fight it. Lifestyle habits, like smoking cigarettes and drinking too much alcohol, can also raise your chances of getting pneumonia.

You can get pneumonia in one or both lungs. Pneumonia in both lungs is sometimes called bilateral pneumonia or double pneumonia. You can also have pneumonia and not know it. This is sometimes called walking pneumonia.

Causes include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. If your pneumonia results from bacteria or a virus, you can spread it to someone else.

Pneumonia can be grouped into types based on what caused it. Many things can lead to pneumonia, but some of the most common are:

Bacterial pneumonia

More people get this type of pneumonia than any other. While several types of bacteria can cause it, the most common in the U.S. Is streptococcus. People sometimes get bacterial pneumonia after a viral infection like a cold or the flu.

Viral pneumonia

Viruses, such as cold and flu viruses, cause about a third of all cases of pneumonia. They're the most common cause of the condition in children under 5. This type of infection isn't usually as serious as bacterial pneumonia, but it can be. Viral pneumonia raises your risk of also getting bacterial pneumonia. 

Fungal pneumonia

Fungi found in dirt or bird poop can also cause a pneumonia infection. This type is more likely to affect people with weaker immune systems, such as those who have long-lasting health problems. 

Walking pneumonia

This is a nickname for a less serious type that's officially called mycoplasma pneumonia. It's named for the bacteria that causes it. Young adults and older children most often get this type, which often doesn't require bed rest. 

Your symptoms can vary, depending on the cause of your pneumonia, your age, and your overall health. They usually develop over several days.

Common signs of pneumonia include:

Sharp pain in your chest or belly when you breathe or cough

Coughing, which usually produces phlegm or mucus

Fatigue

Loss of appetite

Fever, sweating, and chills

Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Shortness of breath

A bluish tint to your lips or fingernails (It may be harder to see on darker skin tones.)

Fast breathing or trouble breathing

A fast pulse

Sharp or stabbing chest pain when breathing or coughing

Along with these symptoms, older adults and people with weak immune systems might be confused or have problems with thinking. They might also have a lower-than-usual body temperature.

The symptoms of viral pneumonia tend to come on slowly, and they are often mild at first. They may include:

Coughing

A fever and chills

A headache

Shortness of breath, especially during exertion

If you have trouble breathing, coughing that doesn't stop, chest pain, or a fever of 102 F or higher, see your doctor. 

Symptoms of pneumonia in babies

Babies with pneumonia may not show any symptoms. But they could seem tired or restless. They might also have a cough, fever, vomiting, or trouble breathing. It also may be hard for them to eat.

You get pneumonia when a potentially harmful substance that your body could usually fight off overwhelms your immune system and infects your lungs. 

Viruses that can lead to viral pneumonia include:

Influenza viruses

Cold viruses

RSV (the top cause of pneumonia in babies age 1 or younger)

SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19 

Measles virus

Adenovirus

Varicella-zoster, which causes chickenpox

The whooping cough virus

Causes of bacterial pneumonia include:

The pneumococcus bacteria, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia

Mycoplasma 

Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaire's disease

Certain types of chlamydia bacteria

Fungal pneumonia causes include:

Coccidioidomycosis, the fungus that causes valley fever, which is found in parts of the Southwestern U.S.

Cryptococcus, found in bird poop and soil contaminated with it 

Histoplasmosis, which occurs in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys.

 Aspiration pneumonia

You can get aspiration pneumonia when you breathe in a foreign substance, like vomit, saliva, or food. You're more likely to get it if something has interfered with your gag reflex, such as a brain injury or overuse of drugs or alcohol.

Is pneumonia contagious?

Bacterial and viral types of pneumonia are contagious. The germs that cause them may spread through the air when someone who is infected talks, coughs, or sneezes. You might also get pneumonia after touching a surface that has the germs on it, then touching your mouth or nose.

Can the flu turn into pneumonia?

Influenza viruses can cause pneumonia, particularly in people who have other health conditions or are at higher risk of it for another reason

Can COVID turn into pneumonia?

The virus that causes COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia. It can also make you more prone to get an infection from other types of viruses or bacteria by weakening your immune system or causing you to need a ventilator.

Hospital-acquired pneumonia

If you get pneumonia while you're in a hospital, that's called hospital-acquired pneumonia. It tends to be more serious, since it can be caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and those who get it have other health issues. You might also hear the term health care-associated pneumonia. This refers more broadly to pneumonia you catch while in any health care facility, such as a long-term care facility or dialysis center. 

Ventilator-associated pneumonia

You have ventilator-associated pneumonia if you get the infection while using a ventilator, a machine that helps you breathe. 

Community-acquired pneumonia

Most cases are what's called community-acquired pneumonia, which means you didn't get it in a hospital.

Anybody can get pneumonia , though it most commonly affects babies and people over 65.

You're also at higher risk if you:

Have a condition that affects your lungs like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Have another serious health condition like heart disease or diabetes

Have a weakened immune system, from a condition like AIDS, from getting chemotherapy, or if you had an organ transplant 

Spend time in a health care facility such as a hospital or long-term care home 

Have trouble swallowing

Use a ventilator

Smoke or are exposed to secondhand smoke

Misuse alcohol or drugs

Spend time in an environment in which you breathe in irritants like dust, fumes, or chemicals

Your doctor will start with questions about your symptoms and your medical history, like whether you smoke and whether you've been around sick people at home, school, or work. Then, they'll listen to your lungs. If you have pneumonia, they might hear cracking, bubbling, or rumbling sounds when you breathe in.

If your doctor thinks you might have pneumonia, they'll probably give you tests, including:

Blood tests to look for signs of a bacterial infection

A chest X-ray to find the infection in your lungs and how far it's spread

Pulse oximetry to measure the level of oxygen in your blood

A sputum test to check the fluid in your lungs for the cause of an infection

If your symptoms started in the hospital or you have other health problems, your doctor might give you more tests, such as:

An arterial blood gas test to measure the oxygen in a small amount of blood taken from one of your arteries

A bronchoscopy to check your airways for blockages or other problems

A CT scan to get a more detailed image of your lungs

A pleural fluid culture, in which the doctor removes a small amount of fluid from the tissues around your lungs to look for bacteria that might cause pneumonia

Pneumonia vs. Bronchitis

Like pneumonia, bronchitis can give you a long-lasting cough, fever, fatigue, and chest pain. You can also get pneumonia after having bronchitis. But bronchitis, which results from inflammation in the tubes that carry air to your lungs, tends to be much less serious. See your doctor if you have these symptoms so they can figure out which condition you have and how best to treat it.

Pneumonia can have several complications, including:

Bacteremia, in which bacteria spread into your blood. This can cause septic shock and organ failure.

Respiratory failure, which might mean you need to use a breathing machine while your lungs heal

Pleural effusion, which is fluid buildup between the layers of tissue that line your lungs and chest cavity. This fluid can also become infected.

A lung abscess, when a pocket of pus forms inside or around your lung

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a serious type of respiratory failure

Kidney failure

For those with heart disease, worsening heart failure or a higher risk of a heart attack

Your treatment will depend on what caused your pneumonia, how serious it is, and your overall health. Most people are able to recover at home with rest and medication.

Pneumonia medication

If you have bacterial pneumonia, you'll get antibiotics. Make sure you take all of the medicine your doctor gives you, even if you start to feel better before you're through with it.

If you have viral pneumonia, antibiotics won't help. You'll need to rest, drink a lot of fluids, and take medicine for your fever. Antiviral medications can work well against some, but not all, of the viruses that cause pneumonia.

Your doctor will prescribe antifungal medication to treat fungal pneumonia.

Atypical pneumonia treatment

Atypical pneumonia is caused by bacteria that are hard for doctors to detect with standard methods, such as mycoplasma and legionella. With a mild case, you may be able to recover with rest and self-care at home. If it's more serious, your doctor will treat it with antibiotics. 

Pneumonia nebulizer

Your doctor may prescribe a nebulizer or inhaler to you or your child to help with breathing. But this won't treat the pneumonia itself.

Hospitalization for pneumonia

If your symptoms are serious or if you have other conditions that make you more likely to have complications, your doctor may send you to the hospital. While you're there, your doctor will probably give you fluids or antibiotics through an IV. You may need oxygen therapy or breathing treatments. And the doctors might need to drain fluid from your lungs.

How long does pneumonia last?

Depending on what type of pneumonia you have and how sick you are, it could take anywhere from a week to a month or more to recover. You'll probably feel fatigued for a month or so. Most people continue to feel tired for about a month. You need lots of rest while you're recovering, so don't try to rush it. Ask your doctor when you can return to your usual activities. Limit contact with other people while you're sick so you don't spread the germs that cause pneumonia.

Signs that pneumonia is improving

You can tell you're recovering when your symptoms improve. While you'll probably be tired for a while, you should notice:

Your fever lifts.

You produce less mucus.

Your chest feels better.

You cough less.

It's easier to breathe.

There are some things you can do at home to ease your symptoms and help you recover:

Rest is one of the most important things you can do. Stay home from work, and ask someone else to help you do things around the house, if possible.

Over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers can ease pain and fever. But don't take cough or cold medicines without talking to your doctor. Coughing can actually help your body get rid of an infection.

Drink lots of fluids, like water, warm tea, and broth, to help loosen mucus.

Try using a humidifier to reduce phlegm.

Cool compresses may help you feel better if you have a fever.

Don't smoke or be around smokers.

If your doctor has prescribed medication, take it exactly as directed.

To avoid pneumonia and the germs that can cause it, take these steps:

Wash your hands, thoroughly and often

Stay away from people who are ill. Also avoid others when you're sick.

If you need to cough or sneeze, do it into a tissue, your sleeve, or your elbow.

Frequently clean surfaces in your home or workspace that people touch a lot.

Don't smoke, and avoid secondhand smoke.

Stick to your treatment plan for any health conditions you have, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. 

Get vaccinated against pneumonia and the flu.

Keep your immune system healthy by exercising, eating healthy foods, and getting enough sleep. 

Pneumonia vaccine

There are two types of vaccines that can prevent infection with the pneumococcus bacteria, the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. They're recommended for:

People over 65

Those with long-term health conditions or weakened immune systems

Smokers

Children under 2, kids ages 2-5 who are at high risk for pneumonia, and those who go to group child care should also get a pneumonia vaccine.

A flu shot can also help prevent pneumonia in both kids and adults. So can vaccines that protect against:

COVID-19

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), a bacteria that can cause pneumonia or meningitis

Measles

Whooping cough

RSV

Chickenpox

Pneumonia is a lung infection most often caused by bacteria or a virus. It may be mild enough that you can recover at home, or serious enough to put you in a hospital. Vaccines can protect you against pneumonia. See a doctor if you have trouble breathing, chest pain, a high fever, or a cough that doesn't go away.

What are the 4 stages of pneumonia symptoms?

Bacterial pneumonia has four stages:

Stage 1, congestion. In the first day or hours of infection, you may have coughing and fatigue.

Stage 2, red hepatization. Your symptoms worsen. Your lungs may look red in lab tests.

Stage 3, gray hepatization. Your lungs take on a grayish color. You still have pneumonia symptoms.

Stage 4, resolution. As your airways get back to normal, your symptoms ease and you begin feeling better. 

Pneumonia vaccine: How often?

Three pneumonia (pneumococcal) vaccines are widely used in the U.S.: PCV15, PCV20, and PCV23. PCV13 is an older vaccine, but it is still used occasionally. Doctors may use them for different people, depending on their age and health condition:

Most young children should get four doses of PCV15 or PCV20 at ages 2, 4, 6, and 12-15 months. This can be done up until almost age 5.

Kids 6-18 who haven't been vaccinated generally need one dose, depending on their risk factors. 

People over 65, and adults under 65 with risk factors for pneumonia, can get one shot of PCV20 or one each of PCV15 and PCV23. 

Your doctor can tell you how many shots you need and when.

What Are The Complications Of Pneumonia?

When you get pneumonia -- whether it comes from bacteria, a virus, or a fungus -- there's a chance it could lead to other medical troubles. Learn the signs of complications of pneumonia and how to treat them.

Is pneumonia deadly?

Pneumonia can be deadly if it causes complications such as:

Respiratory failure

Sepsis

Bacteremia, where bacteria enter the blood

Lung abscesses, which are pus-filled spaces in the lung

Kidney failure

Lung failure

Heart rhythm problems

However, this isn't the case for most people, especially if they get treatment early enough. You're more likely to have a deadly pneumonia if you:

Are under age 2 or over 65

Have other serious conditions such as heart or kidney disease

Have a weakened immune system

Need artificial respiration

Got pneumonia while in a hospital

Were taking antibiotics in the months leading up to your case of pneumonia

What is bacteremia?

Bacteremia is when bacteria are in your blood. It may happen in daily activities such as brushing and flossing your teeth, after dental and medical procedures, and with an infection such as a urinary tract infection. It usually doesn't cause symptoms, and the immune system removes the bacteria in healthy people.

Pneumonia can have some life-threatening complications, so it's important to treat it as soon as possible. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty)

However, if your immune system doesn't work as it should to remove the bacteria from the blood and if the bacteria increase, bacteremia can lead to an infection in the blood. Left untreated, it can progress to other more serious and life-threatening conditions such as sepsis, septic shock, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. 

Bacteremia and pneumonia

If bacteria caused your pneumonia, they could get into your blood, especially if you didn't see a doctor for treatment.

Bacteremia risk factors

Bacteremia can happen to anyone but often occurs in children with common bacterial infections such as strep throat.

Older people with more than one health condition at a time, especially those who stay in community centers or are being treated in a hospital, are also at risk. 

Bacteremia symptoms

People with bacteremia usually show no symptoms, or they have a mild fever. But if bacteremia progresses to a more serious condition such as sepsis or septic shock, your symptoms may include:

Chills

Nausea

Vomiting

Fast heart rate

Low blood pressure 

Stomach pain

Diarrhea

Rapid breathing

Fever

Get immediate medical help if you show these symptoms.

Bacteremia treatment

Bacteremia is treated with antibiotics when it causes an infection or sepsis. Doctors may also remove any sources of bacteria, such as a catheter put in the body during treatment. 

Septic shock and pneumonia

Bacteremia from pneumonia can lead to a serious situation known as septic shock. It's a reaction to the infection in your blood, which can cause your blood pressure to drop lower than normal.

When your blood pressure is too low, your heart may not be able to pump enough blood to your organs, and they can stop working. Get medical help right away if you notice symptoms such as:

Your doctor will test your blood for bacteria and treat you with antibiotics if you have bacteremia. You may get treated in the hospital for bacteremia or septic shock.

Pneumonia can lead to complications that involve the lungs, including lung abscesses, pleural effusion, and respiratory failure.

What are lung abscesses?

Lung abscesses are pockets of pus in your lungs. It's more likely to happen if you:

Men and older people are more likely to get lung abscesses. Tell your doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

Your doctor can test your mucus or the pus in your lungs to look for infection. They may also take an X-ray or a CT scan of your lungs.

Your doctor will likely treat your lung abscesses with antibiotics. They may do a procedure that uses a needle to remove the pus.

Pleural effusion and pneumonia

There are two layers of tissue surrounding your lungs called the pleura. One wraps around the outside of your lungs and the other lines the part of your chest where your lungs sit. They help your lungs move smoothly when you breathe.

If your pneumonia isn't treated, the pleura can get swollen, creating a sharp pain when you breathe in. If you don't treat the swelling, the area between the pleura may fill with fluid, which is called a pleural effusion.

You may not have any symptoms when you have pleural effusion. If you do, your symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Cough

Fever

Chills

Hiccups

Rapid breathing

You're more likely to show symptoms as the fluid buildup increases.

Empyema and pneumonia

If the fluid from pleural effusion gets infected, it leads to a problem called empyema. Tell your doctor if you're having any of these symptoms:

Chest pain that gets worse when you breathe, cough, or sneeze

Pain that travels to your back or shoulder

Fever

Difficulty breathing

You don't want to breathe deeply because it hurts

Your doctor may look for swelling or fluid with an X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan. They might also give you an EKG to ensure that a heart problem isn't the cause of your chest pain.

What is pleurisy?

Pleurisy is when the pleura or tissue around your lungs becomes inflamed. It can cause you to have sharp chest pains.

A doctor will likely treat pleural effusions, empyema, and pleurisy by treating the pneumonia. They may prescribe antibiotics.

If you have pleurisy, you may need medications that can stop the swelling.

For pleural effusions and empyema, your doctor may also suggest a procedure that removes fluid from your body with a needle.

Respiratory failure and pneumonia

When you have pneumonia, your lungs can fill up with fluid. If that happens, they won't be able to transfer enough oxygen to your blood or get rid of the carbon dioxide in your blood. It's a serious condition because your organs need oxygen to work.

If your pneumonia is severe or you're in the hospital to treat it, your care team will watch you for signs of this rare -- but life-threatening -- complication.

You're more likely to get respiratory failure if you're hospitalized, have a weak immune system, have a history of alcoholism, or if you're elderly.

Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms:

Fast breathing or not being able to breathe fully

Feel like you cannot get enough air

Racing or irregular heart rate

Confusion

A bluish tint to your skin, fingertips, or lips

Extreme restlessness

Anxiety

Fatigue

Sweating

Losing consciousness

To figure out if you're in respiratory failure, your doctor may use tools such as X-rays, CT scans, blood tests, and pulse oximeters. The best way to treat it is to get more oxygen, either through a tube in your nose or a mask that your doctor places over your mouth and nose. You may also get medications to treat any infection that is causing the problem.

Pneumonia can also lead to problems that affect how well your kidneys work, like acute kidney injury and, eventually, kidney failure.

Kidney failure and pneumonia

If you have bacteremia or septic shock, your heart may not be able to pump enough blood to your kidneys. It's not a common complication of pneumonia, but it's serious because your kidneys will stop working if they're not getting enough blood.

Your odds of getting kidney failure are higher if you're in the hospital or have other medical conditions on top of your pneumonia.

Kidney failure symptoms

As your kidneys stop working as well as they should, you may start having symptoms such as:

Itchiness

Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles

Headaches

Tiredness

Sleep problems

Loss of sense of taste

Nausea and vomiting 

Not feeling hungry

Unintentionally losing weight

Not peeing enough or at all

Muscle cramps, weakness, or numbness

Joint pain or stiffness

Memory problems

Confusion

Difficulty focusing

Get medical help immediately if have these symptoms. 

Kidney failure treatment

Your doctor can see if your kidneys are working by looking at how much you're peeing and testing your urine or blood. Your doctor will treat the cause of your kidney failure, and in extreme cases, you may need to have your blood cleaned through a dialysis machine until your kidneys are working again.

Your doctor may also recommend a kidney transplant to restore kidney function.

Pneumonia can cause complications that involve the heart, especially in older adults, including heart attack, irregular heartbeat, and heart failure, all of which may lead to death.

Heart failure and pneumonia

Research shows that 30% of people admitted to a hospital for pneumonia later on develop heart-related complications such as heart failure within 10 years of being discharged.

Some possible reasons for heart problems include bacteria that enter the heart, the stress of the illness increasing the chance of having a heart problem, or your body not sending enough oxygen to your organs. The chances of having a heart problem related to your pneumonia are higher if you are elderly, are in the hospital, or already have a heart condition.

Heart failure symptoms

You may not have any symptoms as heart failure begins. When symptoms start, they can include:

See a doctor immediately if you have at least two symptoms, whether you have heart problems or pneumonia.

Heart failure treatment

Your doctor can look for heart failure by listening to your heart, testing your blood, or checking the results of an X-ray, EKG, echocardiogram, CT scan, or MRI. 

Although heart failure has no cure, many medications, procedures, and heart-healthy lifestyle changes can help manage it.

Depending on whether your heart failure is left-sided or right-sided, your doctor may prescribe medications such as:

Medicines that remove excess sodium and fluid from your body, such as diuretics

Medicines that relax blood vessels so that your heart can more easily pump blood, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)

Medicines that lower your heart rate so your heart can pump blood better and stop heart failure from worsening, such as beta-blockers

A medicine called digoxin that helps your heart pump more blood. A doctor will only prescribe it in cases of serious heart failure that other medicines can't manage. 

In some serious cases, you may need surgery that implants a medical device such as a pacemaker or mechanical heart pump to help your heart work better.

A heart transplant may be best for you if you have life-threatening heart failure that other treatments can't manage.

Lifestyle changes that may help manage heart failure include:

Reduce how much salt you take to reduce fluid buildup, which can affect your heart health.

Stay physically active and ask your doctor how much activity you should include in your day.

Try to sleep regularly and well. See a doctor if you can't sleep better despite practicing sleep hygiene, such as sleeping in a cool, dark, quiet room.

Quit smoking. You can call the National Cancer Institute's Smoking Quitline at 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) or visit the CDC's recommended resource for quitting.

Avoid or limit how much alcohol you take.

Manage any heart conditions that may worsen heart failure, such as blood pressure and heart rhythm problems.

Manage your stress levels with relaxation exercises such as deep breathing and journaling. See a therapist or other mental health professional if you need help managing your stress levels.

Pneumonia may lead to serious complications that may be life-threatening or affect how well you can function. You may be more at risk for these complications if you're an older adult, have a weakened immune system, or have underlying health problems such as heart or kidney disease. See a doctor as soon as you can if you have serious symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs and hands, and unintentional weight loss or gain.

What is the most common complication of pneumonia?

The most common pneumonia complications are respiratory failure, sepsis, organ failure, bleeding problems, and worsening of existing medical conditions.

When is pneumonia life-threatening?

Pneumonia is life-threatening if it causes complications such as sepsis, septic shock, and organ failure.

What are the danger signs of pneumonia?

Signs of pneumonia include:

Cough, which could produce mucus that may be green, yellow, or red/pink

Fever

Shaking chills

Sweating

Shortness of breath

Rapid, shallow breathing

Chest pain that feels sharp or stabbing and hurts more when you cough or breathe deeply

Loss of appetite

Tiredness

Nausea 

Vomiting

Confusion 

See your doctor to get help for your symptoms.

What Is Double Pneumonia? Understanding Cause, Symptoms And Treatment Approach

Most of us know what pneumonia is or have heard about the condition at some point in time. For those who don't, it is an infection in the lungs caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that leads to inflammation and swelling of the lung tissues. The good news is that pneumonia is treatable and can be cured with prompt care. The bad news is that if left untreated, it can affect both your lungs, leading to a condition called double or bilateral pneumonia. Speaking with the OnlyMyHealth team, Dr Manav Manchanda, Director and Head - Respiratory, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, explains why it occurs, lists its symptoms, and also sheds light on the treatment options.

Also Read: 7,000 Cases A Day Reported Amid Mysterious Pneumonia Outbreak In China: Should India Be Worried?

What Is Double Pneumonia?

Dr Manchanda describes double pneumonia as a lung infection that affects both your lungs.

He says that the illness can be brought on by bacteria, viruses, or fungi that make your lungs' air sacs swell with pus or fluid.

According to him, double pneumonia can be significantly more severe than pneumonia affecting only one lung and can put the patient in a more vulnerable state.

Symptoms Of Double Pneumonia

The signs and symptoms of double pneumonia are similar to those of unilateral pneumonia.

These include:

Coughing up phlegm

Congestion

Shortness of breath

Chest discomfort

Fever and chills

Perspiration

Fast heartbeat and respiration

Exhaustion

Diarrhoea

Nausea and vomiting

Is It More Concerning Than Regular Pneumonia?

Dr Manchanda says, "Though patients have more severe symptoms, double pneumonia does not always result in twice as severe symptoms as pneumonia in one lung. This is due to the fact that certain symptoms, such as chest discomfort, can affect both sides simultaneously."

Whether one lung is infected or both, pneumonia is a dangerous illness that can be fatal, he also notes, adding that if left untreated, double pneumonia can be life-threatening.

On the positive front, healthy people can recover from pneumonia in 3-5 days with the right care. In fact, you should be able to get back to your regular activities in about a week if you don't have any underlying medical issues, says Dr Manchanda.

However, fatigue and minor symptoms like a cough might last longer.

Also Read: What Is Walking Pneumonia, The Condition Behind China's Mysterious Outbreak Among Children?

Treatment Options And Preventive Measures

According to the doctor, bilateral pneumonia treatment depends on a number of variables. This starts with your doctor working towards determining whether the pneumonia is fungal, bacterial, or viral.

The next step is to assess the severity, which is frequently rather severe in cases of double pneumonia.

When it comes to treating the condition, antibiotics like amoxicillin or azithromycin have a decent chance of curing bacterial pneumonia if you have it.

"However, there isn't much that medical professionals can do in terms of medicine while treating viral pneumonia," says Dr Manchanda, adding that your physician's main goal while treating viral pneumonia will be to minimise symptoms.

The fundamentals are to get plenty of rest and drink enough water.

As far as prevention goes, maintaining proper cleanliness may help lower the chance of contracting pneumonia, even if you may not be able to completely avoid it.

Other lifestyle modifications that might be helpful include eating a balanced diet, stopping smoking, exercising frequently, and limiting alcohol use. Additionally, one must aim to minimise the effects of risk factors such as smoking, binge drinking, and health issues like diabetes.

Dr Manchanda signs off by recommending annual flu vaccination, which lowers the chance of contracting pneumonia as a secondary illness by protecting against the flu.

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