Does it matter if you have pneumonia vs. pleurisy?

Yes: Pneumonia is a lung infection with a virus, bacteria or less commonly a fungus. It is typically treated with antibiotics to eradicate the cause, which often is bacterial in origin. Pleurisy is inflammation of the covering of the lung and inner lining of the chest cavity and is treated with anti-inflammation medications.

Pneumonia a killer: Between 5 and 10 million people get pneumonia in the United States each year, and more than 1 million people are hospitalized due to the condition. As a result, pneumonia is the fourth most frequent cause of hospitalizations. Although the majority of pneumonias respond well to treatment, the infection kills 40, 000 - 70, 000 people each year. Pleurisy is not usually life threatening.