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

Latest Pneumonia News and Research

Respiratory viruses lacking NS2 protein can be destroyed by the body's immune response

One viral protein could provide information to deter pneumonia causing the body's exaggerated inflammatory response to respiratory viruses, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

18 Jan 2022

Research shows fewer deaths related to COVID-19 in Cape Town during fourth wave

Researchers observe changes in COVID-19-related deaths during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa.

16 Jan 2022

Exploring the relationship between stem cells and COVID-19

Though COVID-19-related stem cell clinical research is still in its infancy, stem cell treatment offers extensive clinical application possibilities and a far-reaching relevance thanks to ongoing exploration of stem cell clinical research and data mining.

14 Jan 2022

Specific immunoresponse to SARS-CoV-2 in cats and dogs housed with COVID-19 patients

Researchers conducted a detailed epitope mapping of Np and developed an experimental double antigen-based ELISA.

13 Jan 2022

Plasma SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA as a valuable biomarker for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lungs

Researchers recently evaluated respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA (vRNA) levels in longitudinal samples collected simultaneously from mechanically ventilated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and analyzed their connections and relationships with clinical outcomes.

13 Jan 2022

Microbial characteristics of COVID-19

To better understand how the disease progresses, a recent paper in the journal Frontiers in Medicine discusses the role of the human microbiota in this condition.

13 Jan 2022

Study finds reductions in hospital admissions for childhood infections during first year of pandemic

During the first year or so of the covid-19 pandemic, there were dramatic reductions in hospital admissions for common and severe childhood infections in England, most likely due to social distancing measures, school and workplace closures, and travel restrictions, finds a study published by The BMJ today.

13 Jan 2022

The zoonotic potential of epidemic porcine deltacoronavirus

The present state of knowledge about the genesis, evolution, cross-species transmission, and zoonotic potential of PDCoV is the subject of a review published in the journal Pathogens, which was conducted in a combined effort by researchers from Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University and Ohio State University.

13 Jan 2022

COVID-19 symptoms found to vary in different immune contexts

In a new study, researchers studied the kinetics of host response to SARS-CoV-2 infection in a Syrian hamster model, tracking disease pathology, viral loads, antibody responses, and inflammatory cytokine production in multiple organs.

11 Jan 2022

Comparison of COVID-19 and influenza-associated complications

Researchers compare the number, types, and risk for complications among COVID-19 and influenza patients using claims data.

9 Jan 2022

Study shows probiotics can reduce symptoms of COVID-19 when taken post-exposure

A new study shows how a daily use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) probiotic may protect against symptom development in instances when it is used as post-exposure prophylaxis within seven days after exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

7 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron less pathogenic in hamsters

A new research paper posted as a preprint to the bioRxiv* server attempts to throw some light on this question by studying viral pathogenicity in golden hamsters, a valuable model for severe COVID-19 due to the development of reproducible weight loss and pneumonia after infection with the virus.

6 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity in pregnancy and fetal development

A review conducted by a team of researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, the University of Colorado, and Active Motif, Incorporated compiles information on SARS-CoV-2 virology, in utero transmission from infected pregnant mothers to fetuses, new findings on possible methods of SARS-CoV-2 cellular trafficking through exosomes, and the transcriptomic effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection, in order to inform future studies aimed at a better understanding of COVID-19 and the development of therapeutic solutions against SARS-CoV-2.

30 Dec 2021

Exploring the importance of selenium in COVID-19 patients

In a new study, researchers reviewed research on the role that selenium could play in protecting individuals against coronavirus disease 2019.

29 Dec 2021

Structural blueprint of nanoparticles developed to target neutrophils responsible for acute lung inflammation

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the devastating impact of acute lung inflammation (ALI), which is part of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that is the dominant cause of death in COVID-19.

28 Dec 2021

New study provides a mutational analysis of SARS-CoV-2

A new study investigates mutational waves in structural and non-structural protein evolutions of SARS-CoV-2 to better understand the virus’s evolution and epidemiology.

24 Dec 2021

Pediatric hospital admissions rise with omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant

A new study examines the impact of the Omicron variant on hospitalizations among children in South Africa.

23 Dec 2021

Exploring the Mediterranean diet as a potential strategy against SARS-CoV-2

A study found that the Mediterranean diet, when combined with non-smoking and regular physical activity, can lower susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.

22 Dec 2021

Importance of pneumococcal vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic

A new study discusses the necessity and role of pneumococcal immunization in strengthening the global health system amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.

22 Dec 2021

New oral pill for COVID-19 home treatment

As cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in many countries, new treatments are being sought to arrest the progression of the disease, preventing severe illness and death or disability. One such is the small molecule molnupiravir, the focus of a new research paper.

20 Dec 2021