Introduction

Pneumonia is an infection in your lungs that stops them from working properly. It can be very serious. If you think you have it, you need to get treatment quickly.

We've brought together the best research about pneumonia and weighed up the evidence about how to treat it. You can use our information to talk to your doctor and decide which treatments are best for you.

If you've been diagnosed with pneumonia, it means you've got an infection in your lungs that stops them from working properly. Pneumonia is a serious illness, and you'll feel very ill. You'll have a fever and a cough. You may also feel as though you can't catch your breath.

You're more likely to get pneumonia if you're older than 65, if you smoke, or if you drink a lot of alcohol. You're also more likely to get it if you've already got another serious illness that has weakened your body and its natural defences against infection (your immune system). Children under 2 are also at an increased risk of getting pneumonia.

Pneumonia can be dangerous, especially if you are older or already ill. If you think you have pneumonia, you should call your doctor straight away. If you get treatment quickly, and if you rest and follow your doctor's advice, you are likely to make a full recovery. If you are older or have another health condition, you may not recover as quickly as someone who is younger or healthier.

Key points for people with pneumonia

• Pneumonia is serious and can sometimes kill people. If you think you have it, see a doctor straight away.

• Most people with pneumonia can be treated at home. You need to go to hospital only if you are very ill.

• Antibiotics are the main treatment for pneumonia. The sooner you take them, the better your chance of making a good recovery.

• It's important to be sure that you recover completely. Go back to your GP if any symptoms, such as fever or cough, don't seem to be going away.

• There are vaccines that may protect you against pneumonia. Your doctor will probably recommend getting these if you are at a high risk of getting pneumonia because you are older or in poor health. There is also a special vaccine for children. It should be given to all infants between 2 months old and 23 months old.

To learn more, see Antibiotics and Vaccines that help protect you against pneumonia.

How do your lungs work?

You have two lungs. They sit in your chest, inside your rib cage. One sits on each side of your heart. Your lungs are a little like two spongy, elastic bags. They fill up with air as you breathe in, and empty as you breathe out.