Pneumonia
Current Event Project
Summary
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs. The air sacs in the lungs fill up with pus and other fluid, which makes it hard for oxygen to reach the bloodstream. Someone with pneumonia may have a fever, cough, or trouble breathing. Pneumonia is caused by a variety of germs but most cases are caused by viruses. Pneumonia is a very serious disease and you should always look out for the symptoms.
Description
Pneumonia is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection of one or both sides of the lungs that causes the air sacs of the lungs to fill up with fluid. Symptoms can be mild or severe and may include a cough a slimy substance and trouble breathing.
In Depth
Kids with pneumonia caused by bacteria usually become sick fairly quickly, starting with a sudden high fever and unusually fast breathing. Kids with pneumonia caused by viruses probably will have symptoms that appear more gradually and are less severe, though wheezing can be more common.
- fever
- cough
- stuffy nose
- chills
- vomiting
- chest pain
- loss of appetite (etc;)
Mycoplasma is very common and causes a sore throat, headache, and rash in addition to the usual symptoms of pneumonia.