The INSPIRER The-INSPIRER-02 | Page 10

HEALTH BIT       PG. 10 THE INSPIRER WHEN 'COMMON COLD' IS NO LONGER COMMON- PNEUMONIA By Rita Ofori-Amponsah Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs. It results in the inflammation of the airspaces in the lungs and can be caused by the viruses, bacteria or fungi. The most common bacteria that causes Pneumonia is called Streptococcus pneumonia.  The disease begins when one breathes in the bacteria and can be acquired in schools or workplaces in which case it is called communally-associated pneumonia or from hospitals and nursing homes in which case it is called healthcare-associated pneumonia. Having chronic or long-term diseases such as Cancer, asthma, cardiovascular diseases