Pneumonia is an infection caused by, fungi, bacteria, or virusesthat affects one or both of the lungs. Years ago, beforeantibiotics, pneumonia could easily cause death. These days threemillion cases of pneumonia are diagnosed every year. The particularsymptoms help doctors determine which type of pneumonia they aredealing with and what the organism causing the infection is.Unfortunately, the symptoms of pneumonia resemble some of thesymptoms of a cold or the flu; so many people do not realize thatthey have something more serious. In fact, pneumonia often startsbecause of an upper respiratory infection like a cold or the flu.The most common symptoms of pneumonia that is caused by bacteriaare:•A cough that may produce mucus in the lungs. This mucus can begreen or a rusty color and may be spo