Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a leading cause of death and hospitalization, costing health care systems billions of dollars and an estimated 600,000 adult deaths worldwide each year. Pneumococcal disease is caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae and the term describes a group of illnesses, including invasive infections, such as bacteremia/sepsis and meningitis, as well as pneumonia and upper respiratory tract infections. Although all age groups may be affected, the highest rate of pneumococcal disease occurs in young children and older adults. In addition, persons suffering from a wide range of chronic conditions (eg, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) and immune deficiencies are at increased risk.

Viral vs Bacterial Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs which affects alveoli. This article looks at the differences between bacterial and viral pneumonia.

Pneumonia Symptoms & Risk Factors

Pneumonia Classification

Pneumonia Cause

Pneumonia in Children

Pneumonia Diagnosis

Pneumonia Treatment

Pneumonia Epidemiology

Pneumonia History

Walking Pneumonia

Is Walking Pneumonia Contagious?

Walking Pneumonia versus Pneumonia

See more featured articles »

Walking Pneumonia Versus Common Cold

Walking Pneumonia Versus Bronchitis

Who Gets Walking Pneumonia?

Types of Atypical Pneumonia

How is Walking Pneumonia Treated?

Walking Pneumonia: When to See a Doctor?

Risk Factors and Walking Pneumonia Prevention

Is Sense of Smell Linked to Pneumonia?

Latest Pneumonia News and Research

Specialized LLMs can outperform traditional methods in forecasting postoperative risks

Millions of Americans undergo surgery each year. After surgery, preventing complications like pneumonia, blood clots and infections can be the difference between a successful recovery and a prolonged, painful hospital stay – or worse.

4 Mar 2025

Millions suffer from lack of access to safe medical oxygen globally

Six out of every ten people globally lack access to safe medical oxygen, resulting in hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths each year and reducing quality of life for millions more, an international report co-authored by the University of Auckland has found.

4 Mar 2025

New CRISPR-based test enhances diagnosis of life-threatening fungal infection

Tulane University researchers have developed a CRISPR-based test that diagnoses Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) - a life-threatening fungal infection primarily affecting children and immunocompromised patients - more quickly and less invasively, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

3 Mar 2025

Researchers uncover pathways of bacterial spread in the bloodstream

Bacteremia, or blood poisoning, occurs when bacteria overcome the body's immune defenses.

27 Feb 2025

Lung expansion interventions fail to reduce breathing problems after abdominal surgery

A new study, published today in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, tested whether a set of interventions to keep lungs expanded before, during, and after abdominal surgery could lower the risk of serious breathing problems in patients compared to the usual care at 17 academic hospitals in the U.S.

25 Feb 2025

Older adults and women more likely to develop postoperative infections after heart surgery

One in five older adults gets an infection up to six months after heart surgery - with women far more likely to develop one, according to studies led by Michigan Medicine.

19 Feb 2025

Swimming in lakes may increase risk of Legionella infection

Swimming in some lakes with still water can lead to infection with Legionella, bacteria that can cause pneumonia, and people who engage in open water swimming should be aware of this risk, say the authors of a practice article published in CMAJ.

18 Feb 2025

Hospital sink drains found to harbor dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria

We hope to be cured when we stay in hospital. But too often, we acquire new infections there. Such 'healthcare-associated infections' (HAI) are a growing problem worldwide, taking up an estimated 6% of global hospital budgets.

14 Feb 2025

Curcumin-based therapy offers hope against antibiotic-resistant superbugs

In 2017, a tragic incident unfolded in a Nevada hospital. A woman, admitted for pneumonia, tragically succumbed to multiple organ failure and sepsis.

6 Feb 2025

The link between air pollution and lower respiratory infections in adults

Research reveals that even low levels of air pollution significantly increase the risk of respiratory infections in adults, highlighting urgent health concerns.

5 Feb 2025

Air pollution linked to increased hospital admissions for respiratory infections

Air pollution is a well-known risk factor for respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

3 Feb 2025

An Arm and a Leg: The ‘Shkreli Awards’ — for dysfunction and profiteering in health care

Every year, a health care think tank called the Lown Institute ranks the 10 worst examples of "profiteering and dysfunction" in health care and "honors" the winners.

27 Jan 2025

Short-course antibiotics can be a game-changer in tackling ventilator-associated pneumonia

Antibiotic overuse is a key driver in the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major global health crisis.

21 Jan 2025

Researchers create an atlas of health associations for GLP-1 receptor agonists

Insights from a study on GLP-1 receptor agonists reveal benefits for cardiometabolic health, with notable risks for gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal issues.

20 Jan 2025

Scientists uncover genetic secrets of Staphylococcus aureus survival in humans

The most detailed study to date on the mechanisms by which a common type of bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, adapts to living on the human body could help improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of certain infections.

13 Jan 2025

Eating more fiber supports growth of good bacteria and protects against gut infections

The group of bacteria called Enterobacteriaceae, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella, E.coli and others, is present at low levels as part of a healthy human gut microbiome.

10 Jan 2025

Early infections in childhood drive long-term health risks

Early childhood infections significantly increase the risk of severe infections and antibiotic use later in childhood, highlighting the importance of early prevention and monitoring.

8 Jan 2025

Hidden culprit: Human metapneumovirus identified in severe adult pneumonia case

Severe pneumonia caused by human metapneumovirus in an immunocompetent adult highlights diagnostic challenges and underscores the need for rapid molecular diagnostics to improve outcomes.

6 Jan 2025

Novel hMPV strains linked to rising respiratory infections in young children

Researchers in India discovered novel hMPV lineages A2.2.1 and A2.2.2, emphasizing their role in pediatric respiratory infections and potential public health implications.

6 Jan 2025

Study finds no clinical advantage of budesonide inhaler over fluticasone in COPD

A study compares budesonide-glycopyrrolate-formoterol and fluticasone-umeclidinium-vilanterol, revealing insights on COPD exacerbations and pneumonia risk.

6 Jan 2025