Bacterial pneumonia can you die

The lungs, of course, are responsible for supplying oxygen all over the body. Pneumonia, it follows, threatens your oxygen tank. But that can result in changes in blood pressure that might in turn decrease blood supply to those organs, too. Pneumonia is more likely to be serious or even deadly in infants, adults over 65, and people with underlying health issues or weakened immune systems, like someone with cancer or HIV, Dr.

Bhowmick says—although it's possible a severe case of pneumonia could turn deadly in someone at any age. With treatment—which varies depending on the type of pneumonia a person has—most people improve within one to three weeks. He or she can help determine what type of pneumonia you have and therefore what kind of treatment you might require. People report drinking alcohol can cause an eczema flare.

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Medically reviewed by Daniel Murrell, M. Risk How it happens More dangerous types Warning symptoms Prevention Takeaway Overview Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can be caused by a variety of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Why does it happen? Types of pneumonia that carry a higher risk. Recognizing symptoms. Preventing life-threatening pneumonias. The takeaway. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Emelia Arquilla, DO. Medically reviewed by University of Illinois.

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Avalanche at Swiss ski resort Andermatt buries 'a number' of people. Pneumonia is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs. These air sacs, called alveoli, can fill with fluid, making it difficult to breathe. The disease can be fatal, especially this time of year, when respiratory infections are more common, Choi said.

The flu can lead to pneumonia in several ways. 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. There are specifically a few vaccines you should get to avoid catching pneumonia:. Other than vaccines, make sure to follow proper cold and flu season hygiene.