Pneumonia is an infection of the respiratory tissue

Pneumonia is a common respiratory disease, and kills around one in 20 people who contract it. Elderly people, children, people with depressed immune systems and those with chronic conditions such as diabetes are particularly vulnerable.
What is pneumonia?
An infection or inflammation in the lung tissue.
The alveoli - microscopic air-filled sacs of the lung responsible for absorbing oxygen from the atmosphere- become inflamed and flooded with fluid.
Half of all cases are caused by bacteria, in particular those from the family streptococcus.
However, the condition can also be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites and noxious chemicals.
Rarely the disease can be caused by bacterial colonies from infections in other parts of the body, which travel to the lungs.
Inhaling your own vomit can also trigger a chemical reaction which leads to pneumonia.
What are the symptoms?
The first signs of classic bacterial pneumonia are the sudden development of shivering fits, fever, chest pains and coughing.
The cough starts out dry, but patients soon begin to cough up phlegm, which can be yellow or bloodstained.
Breathing can become fast and shallow and painful, and patients sometimes find themselves gasping for air. They may even start to go blue around the lips and nails due to a lack of oxygen.
Other symptoms may include loss of appetite, headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, and joint pains or muscle aches.
Some patients also develop a rash of cold sores around the mouth - a sign that their immune system is depressed.
The condition is often apparent from a physical examination of the chest, but an x-ray and a blood or phlegm test are often required to confirm a diagnosis.
Occasionally a chest CT scan or other tests may be needed to distinguish pneumonia from other illnesses
Repeated cases of pneumonia, and cases where the disease persists, can signal a serious underlying condition, such as lung cancer.
What is the treatment?
Pneumonia is successfully treated with antibiotics, such as amoxicillin, benzylpenicillin and erythromycin.
Some patients may also require support treatment, such as chest physiotherapy and oxygen treatment.
Patients who have recently travelled abroad should notify their doctor, as foreign bacteria sometimes require a different treatment.

Is there a vaccine?
Yes, and from September 2006, all children will be offered a vaccine to protect against the most common form of pneumonia, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae. The vaccine is given as three doses, at two, four and 13 months of age. It is also recommended for elderly people, those with chronic conditions, such as asthma, and diabetes, and people who have had their spleen removed, who are particularly at risk