Pneumonia is a disease of the lungs and the respiratory system. The lung contains many small bulbs, or sacs, called alveoli. These help to take out oxygen from the air. In the case of pneumonia, these bulbs become inflamed. They fill up with a fluid which is called pus, and can no longer absorb as much oxygen as before. This makes it hard for the person with pneumonia to breathe. They may feel out of breath, or like they are drowning. They may also feel pain when they breathe. Sometimes people die of pneumonia, even when they go to a hospital and take medicine.
Pneumonia
Questions and Answers
Q: What is pneumonia?
A: Pneumonia is a disease of the lungs and the respiratory system.
Q: What are alveoli and what is their function?
A: Alveoli are small bulbs or sacs in the lungs that help to take out oxygen from the air.
Q: What happens to the alveoli in pneumonia?
A: In pneumonia, the alveoli become inflamed and fill up with pus.
Q: What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
A: The symptoms of pneumonia include feeling out of breath, feeling like drowning, and pain when breathing.
Q: Why is it hard to breathe for someone with pneumonia?
A: It is hard to breathe for someone with pneumonia because the inflamed alveoli can no longer absorb as much oxygen as before.
Q: Do people with pneumonia always recover with medicine?
A: No, sometimes people can still die of pneumonia even with hospital care and medicine.
Q: Can pneumonia only affect people with weakened immune systems?
A: No, anyone can get pneumonia. However, those with weakened immune systems are more at risk for developing pneumonia.