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

Leading public health groups urge high-risk patients to get flu shot

During National Influenza Vaccination Week (December 4-8, 2023), leading public health organizations are encouraging everyone to get a flu shot if they have not already done so.

4 Dec 2023

Researchers develop a new early alert model for pandemic predictions in Germany

An early alert indicator and trend forecasting model for pandemic situations in Germany.

29 Nov 2023

Researchers make great strides in combating pneumococcal pneumonia

The global impact of the coronavirus pandemic has ignited a renewed focus on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

28 Nov 2023

Surge in respiratory illnesses reported in China

Chinese authorities from the National Health Commission have reported an increase in incidence of respiratory diseases in China.

24 Nov 2023

Study suggests non-prescription sales data can help to forecast respiratory disease fatalities

Researchers investigated the value of integrating sales of non-prescription medications (e.g., cough syrups) for improved forecasting of deaths from respiratory diseases in England using artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive tools.

23 Nov 2023

Study finds among outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19, treatment with fluvoxamine does not reduce duration of symptoms

Researchers investigate the effects of high-dose fluvoxamine among patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

22 Nov 2023

Breakthrough in tuberculosis treatment: TB-PRACTECAL trial reveals efficacy of new oral regimen

The TB-PRACTECAL clinical trial outcomes, which evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral bedaquiline.

20 Nov 2023

Avian influenza A H5N1 virus impacts wide range of wildlife in the U.S., study shows

Study highlights the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1) virus among non-domesticated animals in the U.S., revealing neurological symptoms as a key clinical presentation and expanding the range of species affected by this Eurasian lineage virus.

19 Nov 2023

Study highlights variable use and rising costs of antivirals in treating pediatric influenza in the U.S.

The Pediatrics study analyzes trends in antiviral usage among U.S. children and adolescents with influenza, revealing significant variations in dispensing rates and costs, and low usage among children under six years, emphasizing the need for improved treatment strategies.

16 Nov 2023

Sir Peter Barnes on World COPD Day: Awareness, Advances, and the Road Ahead

In this interview, we delve into the remarkable journey of Professor Sir Peter Barnes, a leading figure in respiratory medicine.

15 Nov 2023

Revolutionizing critical care: the potential of gut microbiota therapeutics

The curative potential and limitations of gut microbiome-based therapeutics in critical illnesses.

13 Nov 2023

Researchers identify a novel bacterial protein that can keep human cells healthy

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil, partnering with colleagues in Australia, have identified a novel bacterial protein that can keep human cells healthy even when the cells have a heavy bacterial burden.

9 Nov 2023

BMI should not be used to determine eligibility for gender-affirming chest surgery

Body mass index, or BMI, is a person's mass (weight) in kilograms divided by the square of their height in meters.

7 Nov 2023

Climate change could exacerbate respiratory disease deaths during warm seasons

Global warming caused by climate change could exacerbate the burden of inpatient mortality from respiratory diseases during the warm season.

7 Nov 2023

Avian flu decimates 5% of Peru's sea lions, sparking conservation alarm

Over 5,000 Peruvian sea lions, approximately 5% of Peru's population, succumbed to a mass mortality event linked to the avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, signaling an urgent need for research and conservation efforts to prevent further declines. The rapid spread of the virus among these colonially breeding mammals highlights potential risks of cross-species transmission and the necessity for heightened monitoring to avert new pandemics.

5 Nov 2023

Doxycycline use may help protect against C. diff infection for some patients with pneumonia

A new study published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) reveals that the use of doxycycline may help protect against Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection for some patients with pneumonia.

2 Nov 2023

‘Worse than people can imagine’: Medicaid ‘unwinding’ breeds chaos in states

More than two dozen people lined up outside a state public assistance office in Montana before it opened to ensure they didn't get cut off from Medicaid.

2 Nov 2023

Antibiotics no longer effective in treating childhood infections in large parts of the world

Drugs to treat common infections in children and babies are no longer effective in large parts of the world, due to high rates of antibiotic resistance.

31 Oct 2023

MHRA grants conditional marketing authorization for AbbVie's Tepkinly to treat aggressive blood cancer

AbbVie today announced that the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has granted conditional Marketing Authorisation for Tepkinly® (epcoritamab) as a monotherapy for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory (R/R) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), after two or more systemic therapies.

28 Oct 2023

Healthy eating may be a key player in COPD risk reduction

The association between diet quality and the odds of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

26 Oct 2023