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Open all pages about Pneumonia

Symptoms of pneumonia include a cough, difficulty breathing, a high temperature and chest pain.

Pneumonia is usually caused by a bacterial infection. It can also be caused by other infections or things like food or vomit getting in your lungs.

Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics if the cause is likely to be a bacterial infection. Severe pneumonia may need to be treated in hospital.

The pneumococcal and flu vaccines can help prevent pneumonia. These vaccines are offered on the NHS for some people at high risk.

Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection.

Page last reviewed: 30/06/2019
Next review due: 30/06/2022