In pneumonia, the small branches of the lungs — and the alveoli deep in your lungs — are inflamed.
Pneumonia can be mild or severe. Severe pneumonia can make you so short of breath that hospitalization is necessary. Sometimes admission to the Intensive Care Unit is necessary. In the hospital, your breathing and oxygen levels are always closely monitored. If necessary, the patient is given help with breathing with:
- oxygen therapy through nasal goggles
- or with respirator with a hood on the face
- or with ventilation through a small tube (tube) in the lungs.
