What is pneumonia?

Pneumonia is swelling (inflammation) of the tissue in one or both lungs, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection.^1,2 Pneumonia can affect anyone, although some groups are at higher risk.^1,2

Symptoms of pneumonia

One of the most common symptoms of pneumonia is a cough, which can be dry or mucus producing (yellow, green, brownish or blood-stained).^1,2

Other common symptoms include difficulty breathing, rapid heartbeat, fever, generally feeling unwell, sweating and shivering, loss of appetite, and chest pain.^1,2

Mild cases can usually be treated at home, but may leave sufferers with a persistent cough for up to 6 weeks and lasting fatigue.³ Severe cases may require hospitalisation due to a higher risk of developing serious complications.¹

Causes of pneumonia

Pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. It can also be caused by fungal infections or aspiration of food.^1,2


Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia.² 

• In adults aged 50 years and older, Streptococcus pneumoniae infections are responsible for approximately 36%^† of all hospitalised cases of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).⁷

A pneumonia infection caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae is known as pneumococcal pneumonia, which is a form of pneumoccocal disease.^2,6,8


† 36% of patients = 861 patients hospitalised with pneumococcal CAP out of 2412 patients hospitalised with all cause CAP.