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.

Walking Pneumonia Versus Bronchitis

Pneumonia Diagnosis

Walking Pneumonia

Pneumonia History

Types of Atypical Pneumonia

Risk Factors and Walking Pneumonia Prevention

Pneumonia Symptoms & Risk Factors

Is Walking Pneumonia Contagious?

Is Sense of Smell Linked to Pneumonia?

Walking Pneumonia Versus Common Cold

Pneumonia Treatment

See more featured articles »

Pneumonia Epidemiology

Walking Pneumonia: When to See a Doctor?

Pneumonia Classification

Pneumonia Cause

How is Walking Pneumonia Treated?

Who Gets Walking Pneumonia?

Pneumonia in Children

Walking Pneumonia versus Pneumonia

Latest Pneumonia News and Research

Watch: Fired CDC chief says RFK Jr. demanded she roll back vaccine policies without evidence

Susan Monarez, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Sept. 17 in her first public remarks since she was fired.

17 Sep 2025

Special subgroup of bifidobacteria found to reduce antibiotic resistance in infants

Researchers from the Technical University of Denmark, DTU, document that a special subgroup of naturally occurring bifidobacteria plays a crucial role in reducing antibiotic resistance in infants.

17 Sep 2025

Mathematical model recreates swallowing and reveals causes of dysphagia

For most people, swallowing is second nature, but how does it occur, and why do some people have difficulty with it? Researchers at Kyushu University in Japan have started to tackle these questions by developing a mathematical model that recreates the muscle movements of the esophagus that occur during swallowing.

16 Sep 2025

Younger adults and men with type 2 diabetes face higher risk of sepsis

Living with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may double the risk of developing sepsis-with those aged younger than 60 years and men particularly susceptible, according to a long-term community-based study in Australia, being presented at this year's Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), Vienna (15-19 Sept).

16 Sep 2025

Protecting Indigenous territories in the Amazon supports human health

Protecting Indigenous territories in areas of the Amazon rainforest with high levels of forest cover may help reduce the number of cases of several diseases (including malaria and respiratory conditions) in the surrounding areas.

11 Sep 2025

Breathlessness linked to higher mortality in Malawian hospital patients

Research led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Programme shows that over half of hospital patients with breathlessness had died within a year of admission (51%), as opposed to just 26% of those without the symptom.

10 Sep 2025

Researchers reveal why no level of air pollution is safe for respiratory health

A review in the Journal of Clinical Investigation shows how particulate matter damages the lungs through oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune disruption. It links air pollution to asthma, COPD, lung cancer, infections, and millions of premature deaths, with no safe exposure threshold.

9 Sep 2025

Griffith study finds Legionella exposure extends beyond air conditioners

There is a common misconception that legionella is only found in air conditioners and water towers, however, Griffith University research has found people are likely exposed to the bacteria through other sources including through soil.

5 Sep 2025

At CDC, worries mount that agency has taken anti-science turn

Public health and access to lifesaving vaccines are on the line in a high-stakes leadership battle at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

3 Sep 2025

Why Salmonella Dublin poses a food safety threat in beef and dairy

The study on Salmonella Dublin highlights its genomic similarities and resistance traits, raising concerns for food safety and antimicrobial resistance.

27 Aug 2025

Genetic variants mimicking IL-6 inhibition linked to lower cardiovascular risk

People with lower interleukin-6 activity have a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, a new LMU study reveals.

26 Aug 2025

New guidelines highlight importance of vaccination for heart patients

The American College of Cardiology has issued Concise Clinical Guidance (CCG) recommending vaccines to protect adults with heart disease against respiratory illness, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV, and other diseases where vaccination is shown to offer cardiovascular protective benefits.

26 Aug 2025

People with schizophrenia are more likely to develop COPD

People with schizophrenia are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), suggesting a possible syndemic relationship between the two diseases, in addition to people not seeking appropriate medical care.

26 Aug 2025

Health care visits linked to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Guatemalan communities

In Guatemalan communities, a recent visit to a health clinic or hospital - not antibiotic use - is the strongest predictor of carrying bacteria resistant to critical antibiotics, according to a new study led by Washington State University.

20 Aug 2025

International study tests promising vaccine against 21 strains of pneumococcus

A new vaccine for pneumococcal disease will be tested under an international trial aiming to provide greater protection to babies against the common infection that causes pneumonia, sinusitis and meningitis.

19 Aug 2025

Light-activated therapy boosts effectiveness of antifungal drugs against Candida albicans

Researchers at the Optics and Photonics Research Center (CePOF) have succeeded in increasing the susceptibility of the fungus Candida albicans to drug treatment through light-activated therapy.

12 Aug 2025

Alzheimer’s risk factors look different for men and women

Research on Alzheimer's risk factors shows significant sex differences, with implications for diagnosis and treatment in early-onset and late-onset cases.

6 Aug 2025

New Swiss study probes lingering fatigue after Legionnaires' disease

Researchers in Switzerland launched the LongLEGIO study to compare the long-term health impacts of Legionnaires’ disease and other bacterial pneumonias. Baseline data reveal key differences in comorbidities and quality of life between the groups, with follow-up underway.

4 Aug 2025

Study finds rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria among malnourished children in Niger

A new study led by researchers at the Ineos Oxford Institute for antimicrobial research (IOI) has found that antimicrobial resistant bacteria is spreading rapidly among children being treated for severe malnutrition in a hospital facility in Niger.

1 Aug 2025

Efficacy of methylprednisolone doses in severe Mycoplasma Pneumonia

Investigators compare efficacy of low- versus high-dose of methylprednisolone in preventing pulmonary lesions in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

1 Aug 2025