When your lungs get infected, it’s called pneumonia, a lung infection that fills the air sacs with fluid or pus, making it hard to breathe. Also known as lung infection, it’s not just a bad cold—it’s a serious condition that sends hundreds of thousands to the hospital every year. Pneumonia doesn’t come out of nowhere. It usually starts when germs you breathe in—like bacteria, viruses, or fungi—overpower your body’s defenses. The most common culprits? Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium responsible for the majority of bacterial pneumonia cases in adults, and the influenza virus, which can lead directly to viral pneumonia or make you vulnerable to a deadly secondary bacterial infection.
It’s not just about germs. Your risk goes up if you smoke, have asthma, are over 65, or have a weakened immune system from chemo, diabetes, or even long-term steroid use. People who’ve had recent surgeries or are on ventilators are also at higher risk. Even swallowing problems—like after a stroke—can cause aspiration pneumonia, where food or stomach acid gets into the lungs. And while many think pneumonia only hits in winter, it can strike any time, especially after a bad flu or cold that’s not properly managed.
What you see as a cough or fatigue might actually be your body fighting off an infection deep in the lungs. That’s why knowing the causes helps you act faster. If you’re wheezing, have a fever that won’t break, or feel like you’re drowning in your own breath, don’t wait. Early treatment changes everything. Below, you’ll find real advice from people who’ve been there—how to spot early signs, what meds actually help, and how to avoid the mistakes that make pneumonia worse. These aren’t generic tips. They’re based on what works when your lungs are under attack.
Learn the key differences between bacterial, viral, and fungal pneumonia-how they start, how they’re treated, and who’s most at risk. Get clear, science-backed info to understand your symptoms and when to seek help.
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