Which pneumonia is deadly

Bacterial pneumonia. This type is caused by various bacteria. The most common is Streptococcus pneumoniae. It usually occurs when the body is weakened in some way, such as by illness, poor nutrition, old age, or impaired immunity, and the bacteria are able to work their way into the lungs.

Bacterial pneumonia can affect all ages, but you are at greater risk if you abuse alcohol, smoke cigarettes, are debilitated, have recently had surgery, have a respiratory disease or viral infection, or have a weakened immune system.

Viral pneumonia. This type is caused by various viruses, including the flu influenza , and is responsible for about one-third of all pneumonia cases. You may be more likely to get bacterial pneumonia if you have viral pneumonia.

Mycoplasma pneumonia. This type has somewhat different symptoms and physical signs and is referred to as atypical pneumonia. It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma pneumoniae. It generally causes a mild, widespread pneumonia that affects all age groups. Other pneumonias. There are other less common pneumonias that may be caused by other infections including fungi.

Early symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as those of bacterial pneumonia, which may be followed by:. Mycoplasma pneumonia has somewhat different symptoms, which include a severe cough that may produce mucus. Diagnosis is usually made based on your recent health history such as surgery, a cold, or travel exposures and the extent of the illness. Based on these factors, your healthcare provider may diagnose pneumonia simply on a thorough history and physical exam.

The following tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis:. Chest X-ray. This test takes pictures of internal tissues, bones, and organs, including the lungs. Blood tests. This test may be used to see whether infection is present and if infection has spread to the bloodstream blood cultures. Arterial blood gas testing checks the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream. Sputum culture. This test is done on the material that is coughed up from the lungs and into the mouth.

Pulse oximetry. An oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A small sensor is taped or clipped onto a finger. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The test is painless and the red light does not get hot. For some people, it can also be quite serious—even deadly.

In the United States, pneumonia is responsible for about 1 million hospitalizations a year, and 50, deaths. It kills more children under 5 than any other infection. This article will cover who is at high risk of serious complications from pneumonia, different types of pneumonia, how pneumonia can become deadly, and how to avoid getting pneumonia.

Most healthy people are able to recover from pneumonia relatively quickly and without complications. But there are certain high-risk groups and health conditions that increase the risk of death from pneumonia. These include:. Those with multiple risk factors increase their risk even higher. Not everyone in these groups will end up with severe pneumonia and die. But they are at an increased risk of being sicker, needing to be hospitalized, needing intravenous medications, and developing severe complications from the infection.

Pneumonia infections can be caused by germs like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Bacterial pneumonia is more likely to lead to death than viral or fungal pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is a lung infection caused by bacteria. It can show up on its own or follow an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus. The most common bacteria that causes pneumonia is Streptococcus pneumoniae , which causes pneumococcal pneumonia.

Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with antibiotics. It tends to be more serious and is more likely to require hospital care.

RSV is a common cause of pneumonia in young children, while the flu is more common in older adults. Pneumonia caused by a virus is typically less serious and less deadly than bacterial pneumonia but can be serious and deadly for those in high-risk categories. This is especially true if the viral infection makes a way for bacteria to enter the lungs, called a secondary infection. Antiviral medications are used to treat viral pneumonia if it is caused by the flu.

Fungal pneumonia is less common than bacterial or viral pneumonia because it typically infects people with other conditions or weakened immune systems. It can be treated with antifungal medications and is less deadly than bacterial pneumonia.

They include:. Aspiration pneumonia is caused when liquid, food, vomit, or saliva enters the lungs, eventually causing an infection. This can happen in people who have difficulty swallowing, but also in those who use certain drugs. There are two different ways to get pneumonia which may impact what kinds of germs make you sick.

The germs that cause these two different types of pneumonia are different. Those from a hospital setting are more likely to be antibiotic-resistant, which means they do not respond to treatment with certain antibiotics. This makes them harder to beat. The most common complication from pneumonia is a condition called pleural effusion. This is the buildup of fluid in the membranes around the lungs inside the chest cavity. It causes pain and impairs your ability to breathe.

These and other complications of pneumonia can lead to a worsening of pre-existing heart and lung conditions.

If your pneumonia is severe, you may be hospitalized and receive these drugs intravenously through a tube in your vein, and you may receive help breathing. Severe pneumonia can be deadly because of the severe complications that can result from a serious infection. These complications include:. Severe pneumonia, especially if left untreated, can have long-lasting repercussions on your lungs.

It can influence your susceptibility to infections in the future and decrease your ability to exercise and quality of life. While most people will catch a cold or the flu every year, some infections that cause pneumonia can be prevented with vaccines.

Section Navigation. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. Pneumonia Prevention. Who Can Get Pneumonia. Causes of Pneumonia. Types of Pneumonia. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.

CDC is not responsible for Section compliance accessibility on other federal or private website.