HealthAugust 20, 2026
pneumonia
noo-MOHN-yuh
Definition
A serious lung infection that causes inflammation of the air sacs, often resulting in fluid buildup, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Etymology
The word originates from the Greek 'pneumon', meaning 'lung', which comes from 'pneuma', meaning 'breath' or 'wind'.
In the news
In this article, pneumonia is cited as a severe complication that individuals are more susceptible to following a measles infection, due to the virus inducing immune system amnesia.
Measles vaccination remains highly effective
Read the full article ↗UCLA Health