Infection That Occurs In The Air Sacs

Pneumonia is a condition in which a person experiences an infection that occurs in the air sacs in that person's lungs. Pneumonia can cause mild to severe symptoms. Some of the symptoms commonly experienced by people with pneumonia are cough with phlegm, fever, and shortness of breath. Symptoms of viral pneumonia usually appear several days after infection. Initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are similar to flu symptoms, such as fever, dry cough, headache, muscle aches, and weakness. Within a day or two, signs and symptoms of viral pneumonia usually get worse. Pneumonia is also known as wet lung. The infection caused by pneumonia can cause inflammation on one side of the lung or both. The infected air sac will fill with fluid or pus (purulent phlegm). Infection can be life threatening for anyone, especially in infants, children, and the elderly over 65 years. Symptoms include coughing up phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing. Antibiotics can treat many types of pneumonia. Some types of pneumonia can be prevented by vaccines. If not treated properly, pneumonia can lead to complications, such as bloodstream infections, lung abscesses, and pleural effusions.