Pneumonia
Overview
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
- You can get pneumonia from being in the community or during your hospital stay.
- It mainly spreads through respiratory droplets and secretions.
- If you receive prompt and appropriate treatment, you can avoid complications such as collection of pus and fluid in your infected lung, severe breathing difficulty,
sepsis (when your body’s response to the infection damages your own tissues) and even multi-organ failure.
Signs & Symptoms
- Cough with phlegm
- Fever
- Breathing difficulty
- Chills
- Body, chest and muscle pain
- Headache
Prevention
How Can I Protect Myself from Pneumonia?
You can protect yourself by taking a vaccine against pneumonia (pneumococcal vaccination) if you are:
- Over 65 years old
- A person with multiple chronic diseases
- Recovering from a severe illness
If you are Singaporean and eligible, you can use up to $500 a year from your Medisave™ to pay for the vaccine. *You can ask our staff for more information on Medisave!
You Can Also Protect Yourself By:
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water
- Practising good hygiene
Detection & Treatment
Your doctor might provide treatments that include:
- Appropriate resuscitation (method to correct breathing), oxygen therapy and ventilator support
- Appropriate and targeted antibiotics
- Medications to relieve your symptoms
Additional Resources
Specialties & Services
