Pneumonia are contagious and are usually found in fluid from the mouth or nose of an infected person. Illness can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes on a person, by sharing drinking glasses and eating utensils, and when a person touches the used tissues or handkerchiefs of an infected person.

Pneumonia are usually sicker than those with viral pneumonia, but can be effectively treated with antibiotic medications. You may have heard the terms “double pneumonia” or “walking pneumonia. Simply means that the infection is in both lungs. It’s common for pneumonia to affect both lungs, so don’t worry if your doctor says this is what you have – it doesn’t mean you’re twice as sick. Refers to pneumonia that is mild enough that you may not even know you have it. Walking pneumonia, which has also been called atypical pneumonia because it’s different from the typical bacterial pneumonia, is common in teens and is often caused by a tiny microorganism known as. Like the typical bacterial pneumonia, walking pneumonia also can be treated with antibiotics.