Bacterial pneumonia is usually more serious as it causes more severe symptoms. However, viral pneumonia caused by the flu virus can be life-threatening as well if it triggers a particularly severe inflammation of the lungs or is complicated by a secondary bacterial infection.
Anybody can be affected by pneumonia but for some it can be far more serious. This is because healthy people tend to fight off viral pneumonia on their own or successfully battle bacterial pneumonia with the aid of antibiotics.
However, those with chronic disease (especially lung disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or heart disease) or compromised immune systems are less likely to respond to treatment, less able to cope with the stress on the organs caused by pneumonia and more likely to develop serious complications. This is why it is still a leading cause of death among the elderly and seriously ill.
A weakened immune system can be caused by many factors including age, illness and disease. The following are included in this category:
- Babies and infants
- Older people
- People with long-term heart, lung and kidney diseases
- Those with diabetes
- People with cancer, especially those receiving chemotherapy or who have leukaemia or lymphoma
- People who smoke and those who drink alcohol to excess
- People receiving drugs that suppress the immune system to treat an existing illness
- People with HIV/AIDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a home test for pneumonia?
Is pneumonia contagious from person to person?
Is Cold air bad if you have pneumonia?
Is a lung infection and pneumonia the same thing?
How long does it take for pneumonia to stop being contagious?
How do you treat pneumonia without antibiotics?
How do you know you have pneumonia?
Can you treat pneumonia at home?
Can you go to work with walking pneumonia?
Can you drink when you have pneumonia?
Can you die if you have pneumonia?
Can pneumonia go away on its own?
Can lungs heal after pneumonia?