iStock/ThinkstockBy DR. JENNIFER ASHTON, ABC News Senior Medical Contributor
Pneumonia is simply a lung infection but the cause and resulting illness can be from a variety of factors — like bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Bacterial symptoms can include chest pains when you breathe or cough, fever, fatigue or shortness of breath. This type of infection is treated with antibiotics.
Pneumonia from certain viruses, including the herpes virus and adenoviruses, are generally rare for healthy adults but they can affect people with weakened immune systems.
Pneumonia can also occur from aspirating or inhaling food or stomach secretions. Usually the diagnosis is made with a chest X-ray and physical exam.
Copyright © 2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.