Pneumonia is a very common, often serious inflammation of the lungs that affects about three to four million people each year in the United States alone. In 2000, pneumonia and influenza combined ranked as the seventh leading cause of death, according to the American Lung Association.

Pneumonia Causes and Symptoms

Many different organisms can cause pneumonia, including bacteria, viruses and fungi. Pneumonia has more than 30 different causes and many symptoms including the following.

• cough with mucus-like, greenish or pus-like sputum
• chills with shaking
• fever
• easy fatigue
• chest pain
• headache
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• general discomfort, uneasiness or ill feeling
• joint stiffness
• muscular stiffness
• excessive sweating
• clammy skin
• coughing up blood
• rapid breathing
• abdominal pain

You are at a greater risk of developing pneumonia if you

• Have chronic illnesses such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disorders, sickle cell anemia or diabetes;
• Are recovering from severe illness;
• Are in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities; or
• Are age 65 or older.

Pneumonia Treatment

Pneumonia can be treated more easily if you are young, your pneumonia is caught early, your defenses against disease are working well, the infection has not spread and if you are not suffering from other illnesses. Various treatments are available and are determined by the germ causing the pneumonia and the judgment of the doctor. Often times, pneumonia is treated with antibiotics.

In addition, a proper diet and oxygen to increase oxygen in the blood may be given if needed. Some patients may require medication to ease chest pain and to provide relief from violent cough.

Pneumonia Prevention

A flu shot each year may help to prevent the development of pneumonia, which may begin with the flu. Pneumonia also may develop from other respiratory infections.

A vaccine is available to help fight pneumococcal pneumonia, one type of bacterial pneumonia. With the advent of penicillin and subsequent antibiotics vaccination was not considered after WWII. However, with development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, pneumonia vaccines became a desirable alternative.

The current pneumococcal vaccine protects up to 80 percent of healthy patients against pneumococcal pneumonia, which is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. It does not protect against other bacterial or viral pneumonias. Unfortunately, many high-risk patients do not receive vaccination. Additionally, studies have not confirmed a high level of protection in higher risk patients. Healthy Patients guidelines for 2010 recommend shots for at least 90 percent of patients age 65 and older and for more than 60 percent of younger patients who are at high risk for illness. Compare this to 2003 data for Tennessee where only 60 percent of age 65 and older were vaccinated and only 28 percent of the younger high-risk group.

Most people above age 50, unless advised to the contrary by their physician should take the vaccine. Patients more than two years of age with chronic heart, lung and liver disease as well as all immunocompromised patients such as those afflicted with HIV, malignancy, renal failure, transplantation and diabetes.

Routine revaccination is not recommended in immunocompetent patients. Revaccination should be considered in patients more than two years of age who are at high risk of infections or have immunological problems that could result in decrease immunity over time.

Medicare provides payment for this vaccination. Many insurance companies pay for the vaccine for high-risk patients.

To make an appointment with a doctor, call toll-free 1.877.UT.CARES (1.877.882.2737).