Pneumonia is an infection and inflammation of the lungs.
Pneumonia occurs when the lungs are exposed to germs not usually present in the lungs. You have an underlying illness, such as diabetes, chronic bronchitis, or cancer, which makes it easier for you to get all kinds of infections. Your health care provider will review your symptoms and examine you. Your provider will check for fever or rapid breathing. He or she will also listen for sounds of pneumonia in your lungs.