Medical Information

Influenza and Pneumonia

Influenza, or Flu, is caused by a contagious virus. The Flu causes symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, fever, chills, headaches, and loss of appetite. For healthy children and adults, Flu is generally not serious and symptoms pass within a week. However, people who are already ill, very young children, and the elderly may suffer serious complications from the Flu infection, including death. Flu vaccines are available from your physician, health department, and a number of other locations. Visit our "Faces of Influenza" website.   Also, see our Flu vaccine directory or our comprehensive Flu website for more information.

Pneumonia is a serious infection of the lung tissues which causes inflammation and the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. As a result pneumonia sufferers have great difficulty getting enough oxygen into the blood stream, sometimes resulting in death. Pneumonia as many causes including other viral or bacterial infections, chemical exposure, and fungi. Treatment for pneumonia depends on the cause of the infection, but is most successful among young, otherwise health patients. Because pneumonia is a common - and often deadly - side effect of influenza infection, a Flu shot may help prevent pneumonia. A vaccine is also available for pneumococcal pneumomnia (a bacterial infection). Please visit our pneumonia website for more information.