The Record – Staff Writer
Pneumonia is an infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs, and can range in seriousness from mild to life-threatening. Pneumonia can affect anyone, but the age groups at highest risk are children younger than age 2 and people older than age 65. “When we talk about pneumonia, we’re referring to an infection in the lungs,” says Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, a Mayo Clinic pediatric infectious diseases specialist. “Pneumonia can be caused by both bacteria and viruses, and, in rare cases, fungi, as well.”