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Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Some types of pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines, and many types can be treated with antibiotics or antiviral drugs. Signs of pneumonia can include coughing, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing or shortness of breath, chills, or chest pain. Certain people are more likely to become ill with pneumonia, especially adults 65 years of age or older and children under 5 years of age. People of any age who have underlying medical conditions (like diabetes or HIV/AIDS) and those who smoke cigarettes or have asthma are also at increased risk for getting pneumonia.
Healthcare-associated pneumoniae (HCAP) are those that develop during or following a stay in a healthcare facility, like a hospital or long-term care facility. HCAP include hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). When someone who hasn't recently been in the hospital or another healthcare facility develops pneumonia, the infection is called community-acquired pneumonia.
Several types of pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines. Following good hygiene practices can also help prevent the spread of respiratory infections. This includes washing your hands regularly and coughing or sneezing into a tissue or into your elbow or sleeve. You can also reduce your risk of getting pneumonia by limiting exposure to cigarette smoke and treating and preventing conditions like diabetes and HIV/AIDS.
