While learning about what is pneumonia it is important to get maximum amount of information about this condition. Pneumonia is basically a condition of infection or inflammation of lungs and it is caused by virus or bacteria. In this condition often the lung tissue and air sacs are filled with mucous, pus along with other liquids.

Pneumonia can not only be caused by a virus or bacteria but also by inhalation of foreign substances and vomit. What is pneumonia can be better understood by the fact that because of this condition the oxygen cannot reach blood and cells in the body. Bacterial infections are responsible for causing most cases of pneumonia.

The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are responsible for causing the most pneumonia infections in America. Information on what is pneumonia reflects that there are other bacteria that result in forms of pneumonia called atypical pneumonia. In infective pneumonia virus or bacteria get in the lungs and start reproducing. Aspiration pneumonia is caused when a person breathes in fumes, vomit or other chemicals from pool cleaners, bug sprays, gasoline and other substances. This form of pneumonia cannot spread to other individuals.

Information on what is pneumonia also reveals how much lung involvement there may be in each case. Where a section of the lung is involved it is called lobar pneumonia and where patches are affected in both the lungs it is called bronchial pneumonia. The bacteria causing pneumonia are found in the fluid within the nose and mouth of an infected individual.

This condition can spread quite easily through sneezes and coughs and also by sharing of eating utensils and drinking glasses. Contact with handkerchiefs or tissues used by infected individuals can also result in spreading of the bacteria. It is important to wash hands when a person is around someone who has pneumonia.

Understanding the symptoms of this condition are crucial to understanding what is pneumonia. The symptoms associated with this condition include high fever, chills, shortness of breath and cough along with sputum. The sputum may be brown, yellowish or greenish in color. Individuals suffering from pneumonia may also experience headache, sweating, muscle pains and diarrhea along with chest pain.

For a proper diagnosis of this condition the physician conducts a physical examination. A stethoscope may be an important diagnostic tool and allow the doctor to identify rhonchi or rales which are sounds within the chest. The doctor may also tap the patient’s chest lightly and if the sound heard is a dull thud as against a drum like sound then it may point towards a possible pneumonia infection.

Some other tests that form an important part of understanding what is pneumonia include chest x-rays along with sputum and blood tests. In some severe cases a lung biopsy may also be conducted. Thoracentesis may be performed and in this pleura fluid may be removed for analysis. A bronchoscopy may be another test that is performed and in this the physician observes the inner portion of the lung. The lung functioning may also be tested through a test called spirometry. The treatment for this condition includes certain antibiotics along with some over the counter medication like ibuprofen and acetaminophen to control fever and pain.