However, pneumonia often strikes people who are already ill or elderly. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The infection can be from various agents, including bacteria, virus, fungus, and parasites. The main symptoms are coughing, sputum, chest pain, shaking chills, and fever. A minor cold or flu may occur first.
Germs then begin to grow in the trapped secretions in the lungs.
In severe cases, these germs spread to other parts of the body. Personal use of antibiotics without prescription can aid lung infection. This can be very dangerous. Germs treated this way are often resistant to drugs. Those at the highest risk for getting pneumonia are people who are infirmed or have chronic illness.