Pneumonia has symptoms including coughing with a lot of sputum, fever, chills, and chest pain. Vaccinations against pneumococcal pneumonia is recommended for people over age 65, adults with chronic illness, children at risk over age two, and those with HIV infection. The mature lung contains a fluid called surfactant that is essential for the expansion and contraction of the alveoli in the lungs. A baby born prematurely may not have this fluid, and its lungs cannot inflate. Adult respiratory distress syndrome is extensive pulmonary inflammation, small blood vessel injury, and progressive malfunction of the lungs and other organs due to inadequate oxygenation.
Fluid fills the lungs and the alveoli collapse.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome may occur in children as well. ARDS is typically caused by severe trauma or massive, uncontrolled infection, and has a mortality rate of 50 percent. Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary disorder that occurs about once in every 3,500 births. CF causes the production of abnormally thick and viscous mucus that obstructs a number of the body's tracts. CF affects the pancreatic ducts, which prevents normal digestion and leads to malabsorption and malnutrition.