Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an
infection. Many different organisms can cause it, including
bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Pneumonia is a common illness that
affects millions of people each year in the United States. The
symptoms of pneumonia range from very mild to very severe, even
fatal. The severity depends on the type of organism causing
pneumonia as well as the age and underlying health of the
individual. |Review Date: 4/27/2010| Reviewed By: Allen J.
Blaivas, DO, Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, UMDNJ-
NJMS, Attending Physician in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical
Care, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Veteran Affairs, VA New
Jersey Health Care System, East Orange, NJ. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. The information provided
herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for
the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed
medical professional should be consu