Pneumonia is an infection of the air spaces in the lungs and is usually caused by infections, such as bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. Pneumonia can occur in people of all ages, but is especially prevalent in older adults because their weakened immune systems make them more susceptible to the viruses that cause the disease. In the United States, approximately 50,000 people die each year; usually the victims are children, elderly people and people suffering from chronic diseases. Pneumonia is classified in many different ways, usually based on how the patient acquired the disease, such as community-acquired pneumonia or hospital-acquired pneumonia. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Viral pneumonia is usually caused by the influenza virus, although measles, chickenpox, and other viral infections can also cause it. Bacterial pneumonia is typically more serious than viral pneumonia, but there is a risk of getting a secondary case of bacterial pneumonia when you already have viral pneumonia. Fungal infections that cause pneumonia are more common in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with AIDS. Symptoms of pneumonia include cough, chest pain when breathing, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, fever, chills, and nausea or diarrhea. Newborns may not show typical symptoms and may instead simply appear restless or lethargic. It is common for older adults with pneumonia to show a change in mental status, such as confusion. To diagnose pneumonia, a chest x-ray is used to detect the virus, but it does not identify the organism causing the disease. Microbiological tests are performed on blood, sputum, or urine to help identify the cause of the pneumonia case. In severe cases of pneumonia, or if antibiotics are unable to cure the disease, a bronchoscopy is performed. A bronchoscopy is a procedure in which a tube is inserted into the trachea and main airway, allowing the doctor to see into the airway and take tissue samples. Typically, antibiotics are used to treat pneumonia, but if the infection is viral in origin, drugs are usually given only to treat the symptoms, as viruses are not affected by antibiotics and overuse can cause the development of antibodies and thus make antibiotics useless in situations where they could treat infections. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In simple language, pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It is a serious disease that can affect people of any age, but is most common and dangerous in newborns and in people over 65 and in those with underlying medical complications such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic lung disease. It is most familiar during the winter months. It can cause coughing, wheezing and seizures and can range from mild to severe conditions, the cause of the disorder and overall normality. The most frequent element of pneumonia are viruses and bacteria. When the origin is bacterial, the disease can come on quickly or slowly and tends to be more severe than other types.