21/04/2026
PNEUMONIA:
Pneumonia is an infection in one or both lungs. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi cause it.
The infection causes inflammation in the air sacs in your lungs, which are called alveoli. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult to breathe.
Is pneumonia contagious?
The germs that cause pneumonia are contagious. This means they can spread from person to person.
Both viral and bacterial pneumonia can spread to others through inhalation of airborne droplets from a sneeze or cough. You can also get these types of pneumonia by coming into contact with surfaces or objects that are contaminated with pneumonia-causing bacteria or viruses.
You can contract fungal pneumonia from the environment. However, it doesn’t spread from person to person.
Symptoms of pneumonia
Pneumonia symptoms can be mild to life-threatening. They can include:
coughing that may produce phlegm (mucus)
fever
sweating or chills
shortness of breath that happens while doing normal activities or even while resting
chest pain that’s worse when you breathe or cough
feelings of tiredness or fatigue
loss of appetite
nausea or vomiting
headaches
Is pneumonia a virus?
Several different types of infectious agents can cause pneumonia. Viruses are just one of them. The others include bacteria and fungi.
Some examples of viral infections that can cause pneumonia include:
influenza (flu)
RSV infection
rhinoviruses (common cold)
human parainfluenza virus (HPIV) infection
human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infection
measles
chickenpox (varicella-zoster virus)
adenovirus infection
coronavirus infection
See your pediatrician if you notice your child:
is having trouble breathing
lacks energy
has changes in appetite
Pneumonia can become dangerous quickly, particularly in young children. Here’s how to avoid complications.
Pneumonia home remedies
Although home remedies don’t actually treat pneumonia, there are some things you can do to help ease symptoms.
Coughing is one of the most common symptoms of pneumonia. Natural ways to relieve a cough include gargling salt water or drinking peppermint tea.
Things like OTC pain medication and cool compresses can work to relieve a fever. Drinking warm water or having a nice warm bowl of soup can help with chills. Here are six more home remedies to try.
Although home remedies can help ease symptoms, it’s important to stick to your treatment plan. Take any prescribed medications as directed.
Pneumonia recovery
Most people respond to treatment and recover from pneumonia. Like your treatment, your recovery time will depend on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe it is, and your general health.
Pneumonia treatment
Your treatment will depend on the type of pneumonia you have, how severe it is, and your general health.
Prescription medications
Your doctor may prescribe a medication to help treat your pneumonia. What you’re prescribed will depend on the specific cause of your pneumonia.
Other prevention tips
In addition to vaccination, there are other things you can to avoid pneumonia:
If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking makes you more susceptible to respiratory infections, especially pneumonia.
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water.
Cover your coughs and sneezes. Promptly dispose used tissues.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle to strengthen your immune system. Get enough rest, eat a healthy diet, and get regular exercise.
Together with vaccination and additional prevention steps, you can help reduce your risk for getting pneumonia.
Pneumonia home remedies
Although home remedies don’t actually treat pneumonia, there are some things you can do to help ease symptoms.
By Itunuoluwa Medicals
