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Bacterial Pneumonia (cont.)

Most pneumonia is caused by bacteria or a virus. Pneumonia from any cause can occur at any age, but people in certain age groups are at higher risk for certain types of pneumonia.
The most common cause of bacterial pneumonia is a type of bacteria known as Streptococcus pneumoniae. Haemophilus influenzae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Legionella pneumophila are some other major bacteria that cause pneumonia.
If you inhale toxic materials, you can injure your lungs and cause chemical pneumonia.
Fungi can also cause pneumonia. In certain areas of the United States, specific fungi are well known. Coccidioidomycosis is a type of fungal infection that causes a pneumonia called "San Joaquin fever" or "Valley fever." Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis are other fungal diseases that cause pneumonias.
The most common way you catch pneumonia is to breathe infected air droplets from someone who has pneumonia. Another cause is an improperly cleaned air conditioner. Yet another source of infection in your lungs is spread of an infection from somewhere else in your body, such as the kidney.
Your risk of catching pneumonia is determined by the specific bacteria, virus, or fungus, the number of organisms you inhale, and your body's ability to fight infections.
You do not catch pneumonia by not dressing properly for cold weather or by being caught in the rain.