• Pneumonia is a serious disease of lungs characterised by accumulation of mucus/fluid in alveoli and bronchioles to that extent that breathing becomes difficult.

• It is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae.

Mode of transmission of Pneumonia

• Incubation period is of 1-3 days.

• A healthy person acquires the infection by inhaling the droplets/aerosols released by an infected person or even by sharing glasses and utensils with an infected person.

Symptoms

• The onset of pneumonia is usually sudden with a single shaking chill, followed by fever, pain with breathing on the side of lung involved, increased pulse and respiratory rates and cough.

• In severe cases the lips and finger nails turn grey to bluish in colour.

Prevention and treatment of Pneumonia

• The patients should be isolated and healthy persons should not share their belongings.

• Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is available.

• Drugs against pneumonia are erythromycin, tetracycline and sulphonamide. If untreated, pneumonia leads to death.