What to know about pneumonia as Queen Camilla recovers from chest infection

Being struck down by a chest infection can be very unpleasant and, in some cases, dangerous - particularly if it turns out to be pneumonia.

The condition, usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection, isn't swift. Recovery can take up to four weeks, even for a healthy person. Babies, older people and those with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill from it.

Recently, Queen Camilla revealed that the chest infection she had been suffering from over the last few weeks was pneumonia. She fell ill after the royal tour of Australia and Samoa that she embarked on with King Charles III, and was forced to pull out of a series of engagements, including the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph on Sunday 10 November.

According to The Telegraph, the Queen’s condition was viral, not bacterial, and she has recovered from the illness but is still dealing with bouts of fatigue.

Pneumonia is common in the UK, with between five to 11 adults in every 1,000 getting it each year.

What is pneumonia and what are the symptoms?

Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection that can either be viral or bacterial. It can also sometimes be caused by a fungal infection, but this is rare in healthy people, the NHS says.

It may also be caused by something getting into your lungs, such as water or food. This is known as aspiration pneumonia.

Symptoms of pneumonia are quite similar to other chest infections, such as bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease flare-ups. They include:

• A cough

• Coughing up yellow or green phlegm

• Shortness of breath

• A high temperature

• Chest pain

• An aching body

• Feeling very tired (fatigue)

• Loss of appetite

• Making wheezing noises when you breathe - babies may make grunting noises

• Feeling confused (common in older people)

Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical adviser at The Independent Pharmacy, also warns that pneumonia symptoms can be commonly mistaken for symptoms related to the cold winter weather.

He says: "Coughing, cold chills and shortness of breath can all be overlapping symptoms of the weather and this harmful illness. Untreated pneumonia can prove extremely risky to health - particularly towards older individuals and those with a compromised immune system. As a result, people suffering from pneumonia should seek antibiotic treatment from their GP."

Is pneumonia contagious?

Only bacterial and viral pneumonia are contagious. You cannot catch pneumonia from someone who has it because of a fungal infection.

Pneumonia can be spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, and a healthy person inhales the droplets.

There is also a milder form of pneumonia called ‘walking pneumonia’, which can be caused by a bacterial infection. It usually resembles a cold and is more common in children aged five to 15 years of age and adults below the age of 40.

How is pneumonia treated?

Pneumonia is usually treated with antibiotics, and clears up in most people within two to four weeks.

But certain groups of vulnerable people are more at risk of becoming seriously ill. These include babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions.

You may need to go to the hospital to get treatment for pneumonia if you belong to one of these groups, or if you are very unwell and have been coughing for three weeks or more.

In hospital, you may be given fluids and antibiotics, as well as oxygen to help you breathe. The doctor may send you to get an X-ray of your chest and order blood tests to check for other conditions.

If you are recovering from pneumonia at home, there are a number of things you can do to help with your recovery and avoid spreading it to others:

• Stay at home and rest until you feel better

• Avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain or a high temperature

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze

• Put used tissues in the bin as quickly as possible

• Wash your hands regularly with water and soap

What vaccines are available to reduce the risk of pneumonia?

There are four vaccines that can help protect you and your family from infections that can cause pneumonia.

These include:

Pneumococcal vaccine

This is recommended for babies, adults over 65, and people at higher risk of pneumococcal infections. It is available from the NHS, and your GP surgery will usually contact you if you or your child are eligible.

Flu vaccine

This is recommended during pregnancy, for adults over 65, people with certain long-term health conditions, and those at high risk of catching or passing on flu. It's offered on the NHS every year in autumn or early winter to people at higher risk of getting seriously ill from flu.

RSV vaccine

This is recommended for adults aged 75 to 79 and during pregnancy (from 28 weeks onwards). Your GP surgery will usually contact you about getting the RSV vaccine, if you are between 75 to 79 years old. If you are pregnant, you should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.

COVID-19 vaccines

This is a seasonal vaccine recommended for people at increased risk from COVID-19. You may be offered a COVID-19 vaccine if you:

• are aged 65 or over

• are pregnant

• are aged 6 months to 64 years and have an increased risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 because of a health condition or treatment

• live in a care home for older adults

• are a frontline health or social care worker

Read more about health and wellness:

• Five immunity-boosting foods to keep colds and flu at bay (Yahoo Life UK, 3-min read)

• Parents urged to help stop spread of winter illnesses - when to keep your child at home (ChronicleLive, 3-min read)

• UK could be first country to offer norovirus jab against ‘winter vomiting bug’ (The Telegraph, 4-min read)