What exactly is Pneumonia and who is most at risk?

drravi

Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs. Could you explain it in simple terms and clarify which age groups or people with which pre-existing health conditions are considered high-risk for developing severe pneumonia?

dranil

Think of your lungs as millions of tiny, delicate air balloons (alveoli). Pneumonia happens when germs infect these balloons, causing them to fill with pus and fluid instead of air. This makes breathing painful and difficult, as your body struggles to get enough oxygen.

The people at highest risk for severe pneumonia are:

The Very Young and the Very Old: Children under 2 and adults over 65 have immune systems that are either still developing or weakened by age.
People with Chronic Diseases: This includes heart or lung disease (like COPD or asthma), diabetes, kidney disease, or liver conditions.
Those with Weakened Immune Systems: Such as people undergoing cancer treatment, organ transplant recipients, or individuals with HIV/AIDS.
Others at Risk: Smokers, and patients hospitalized, especially those on ventilators.

isabella

Pneumonia is a lung infection where the air sacs fill with fluid or pus, making it hard to breathe and get enough oxygen. It often causes coughing, fever, chest pain, and fatigue. Anyone can get pneumonia, but it’s most dangerous for babies, young children, older adults over 65, and people with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or COPD. These groups have a harder time fighting infections, so they’re more likely to develop severe symptoms and may need hospital care for recovery.