In some people, particularly the elderly and those who are debilitated, pneumonia may follow influenza . Hospital-acquired pneumonia tends to be more serious because defense mechanisms against infection are often impaired. Coughing and deep breathing may help prevent some forms of hospital-acquired pneumonia . See also the specific types of pneumonia. If the pneumonia is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not be effective.
Supportive therapy includes oxygen and respiratory treatments to remove secretions, if indicated.
Most patients will respond to the treatment and improve in two weeks. Elderly or debilitated patients who fail to respond to treatment may die from respiratory failure. This picture shows the organism Pneumococci. This is an illustration of the major features of the lungs and bronchial tree. The inset is of the alveoli.