Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an infection. A number of different organisms can cause pneumonia. Pneumonia is a serious condition that can be life threatening. Pneumonia warrants prompt diagnosis and serious treatment.There are many different types of pneumonia, stemming from different causes. Pneumonia is acquired in on of two ways: from the community or from a hospital stay. Community-acquired pneumonia may occur after influenza, or as a secondary infection from another type of viral or bacterial infection. Hospital acquired pneumonia is contracted during a hospital stay. Patients who contract hospital-acquired pneumonia tend to be immune deficient, and their infection can be very serious.
Vaccination may help prevent some types of pneumonia. Receiving the flu vaccination and deep breathing may help prevent some forms of hospital-acquired pneumonia.
