Pneumonia is a form of acute respiratory infection that affects the lungs. Any infection causing an inflammatory response in the lung is referred to as pneumonia.

Though the majority of pneumonia is caused by bacterial infections, viral infections like influenza or COVID 19 virus can also affect the lungs and can cause serious inflammatory damage to them as evidenced in the ongoing pandemic.

Pneumonia manifests as a mild to severe illness, ranging from moderate flulike symptoms to sepsis, respiratory failure and even death. The range of illness often depends on age, cause of infection, and one’s general health at the time of infection.