Explanation:

Pneumonia is extremely contagious and is caused by breathing in small droplets that get into the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Pneumonia can also result when bacteria or viruses from the mouth, throat, or nose inadvertently enter the lung(s).

Explanation:

Walking pneumonia is a nonmedical term to describe a mild case of pneumonia. People who have walking pneumonia are seldom confined to bed or need to be hospitalized.

Explanation:

Pneumonia is an infection of one or both lungs.

Explanation:

Pneumonia can be a serious and life-threatening infection. This is true especially in the elderly, children, and those who have other serious medical problems, such as COPD, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

Explanation:

Most people who develop pneumonia initially have symptoms of a cold, which are then followed by a high fever (sometimes as high as 104 degrees), shaking, and chills.

Explanation:

At times, the skin and nail color of an individual with pneumonia may change and become dusky or purplish. This is a condition known as "cyanosis," which occurs as a result of low levels of oxygen in the blood.

Explanation:

Pneumonia is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Explanation:

Once organisms enter the lungs, they usually settle in the air sacs and passages of the lung and begin to multiply. The lung area then becomes filled with fluid and pus as the body attempts to fight off the infection.

Explanation:

The spongy tissue of the lungs that contains the air sacs fills with bacteria and pus that can impair the flow of oxygen, which, along with stiffening of the lungs, results in shortness of breath.

Explanation:

Pneumonia is typically diagnosed through a chest X-ray, sputum samples, blood tests, or bronchoscopy.

Explanation:

Two vaccines are available to prevent pneumococcal disease, which is one type of pneumonia. The vaccines are called Prevnar (pneumococcal conjugate vaccine) and Pneumovax 23 (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine).

Explanation:

Antibiotics will not help patients with viral pneumonia. Antibiotics work only on bacterial pneumonia.

Explanation:

Viral pneumonia can be caused by an influenza virus and may be remedied with an antiflu medicine. Three drugs are available: rimantadine (Flumadine), oseltamivir (Tamiflu), and zanamivir (Relenza).

Explanation:

Pneumonia can be a serious and life-threatening infection. This is true especially in the elderly, children, and those who have other serious medical problems, such as COPD, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.