Answers to Pneumonia Quiz

1. Pneumonia is an infection of which part of the lungs?

b – the alveoli, deep within the lung. Because pneumonia inflames the alveoli, it reduces the lungs’ ability to take up oxygen and is therefore much more dangerous than commoner lung infections such as bronchitis (an infection affecting the bronchi)

 

2. What proportion of childhood deaths in the world are due to pneumonia?

a – pneumonia is the single commonest cause of death in children under 5 across the world. Most of children dying of pneumonia live in the developing world, where it can be difficult to get vaccines and antibiotic treatment.

 

3. What makes you more likely to catch pneumonia?

d (all of the above) – smoking, excess alcohol, and flu (and other respiratory viruses) all weaken the lung defences against bacteria so make pneumonia more likely

 

4. The bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of pneumonia. Where does it usually live when it is not causing pneumonia?

a – Streptococcus pneumoniae is found living harmlessly in the back of the throat of 10% of adults and 50% of young children. From there it occasionally gets into the lungs and causes pneumonia

 

5. Who should be vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae?

d (all of the above)– all these groups are at much higher risk of catching pneumonia and should be vaccinated against Streptococcus pneumoniae.

 

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