Pneumonia
Pneumonia is inflammation of the alveoli which become full of secretions and inflammatory cells. While the majority of childhood infections are viral, it may be the result of bacterial infection (which can follow viral pneumonia - a process called secondary infection). The area affected may become solid - called consolidation. Pneumonia is classified according to the part of the lung affected - so if it is a whole lobe of a lung it is lobar pneumonia, while if it is spread throughout both lungs in patches it is bronchopneumonia. The symptoms are those of any infection - fever and malaise - associated with cough, chest pain, sputum, and shortness of breath causing an increase in the rate of breathing. There may be blood in the sputum - a condition called haemoptysis (though this is uncommon in children and young adolescents). The commonest cause of bacterial lobar pneumonia, particularly in young adults, is infection by a germ called streptococcus pneumoniae. In severe cases this can cause death, even in previously fit young people.
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