Q. What is pneumonia? How is it acquired?
A. Pneumonia is the infection of the lungs, acquired by inhaling the infecting particles/organisms. Pneumonia can be bacterial, viral or fungal. Tuberculosis also may lead to pneumonia. Anyone can acquire pneumonia; however, the persons at high risk are the patients with poor immunity (including old aged).
Q. What are the clinical features of pneumonia?
A. Cough with or without sputum production, fever, chest pain and difficulty in breathing are the typical symptoms.
Q. How can one get protected from acquiring pneumonia?
A. Pneumococcal vaccine is an efficacious vaccine which imparts protection against infection due to Pneumococcus, the most common organism causing pneumonia.
Maintaining a healthy life-style and keeping away from smoking and addictive alcohol intake also help.
