pneumonia

Everyday

Pneumonia is a serious illness in which the lungs become swollen and fill with fluid, often caused by germs, making it hard to breathe. tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons it shows how germs can infect the lungs; it is treated by doctors and can be dangerous for babies and old people. Vaccines help prevent some kinds. Phrases: catch pneumonia, have pneumonia, treated for pneumonia.

Examples

• Grandad was in hospital with pneumonia. tree →
• Pneumonia makes it hard to breathe. tree →
• The doctor said she had pneumonia and gave her medicine. tree →
• Some vaccines help protect against pneumonia. tree →
• Pneumonia can follow a bad cold or flu. tree →
• He coughed a lot when he had pneumonia. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no «a» (have pneumonia). Say new-MOH-nee-uh; the p is silent. Myth: you do not catch pneumonia just from being cold or having wet hair; it is caused by germs.