Radang paru-paru (pneumonia) is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which causes a cough, shortness of breath, a high temperature and chest pain. Many people recover at home in 2 to 4 weeks, and bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics, but it can be serious: in Malaysia, pneumonia was the second leading cause of death in 2024. Babies, people over 65 and people with heart or lung conditions are most at risk. Get urgent help if you are struggling to breathe, have blue or grey lips or skin, cough up blood, or become suddenly confused. Vaccines, not smoking and good hand hygiene help prevent it.
Pneumonia maksud: what is radang paru-paru?
According to the NHS, pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. In Malay it is called radang paru-paru or jangkitan (kuman) paru-paru.
WHO explains that the lungs are made up of tiny air sacs called alveoli, which fill with air when you breathe. In pneumonia, these sacs fill with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and limits how much oxygen you can take in.
Note that "paru-paru berair" (fluid around the lungs, or pleural effusion) is a different condition from pneumonia.
How common is pneumonia in Malaysia?
Pneumonia is one of the most important causes of death in Malaysia. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM):
- in 2024, pneumonia was the second leading cause of death, with 15,332 deaths (11.5% of medically certified deaths), after ischaemic heart disease;
- it was the leading cause of death among women (6,776 deaths, 12.4%);
- it was also the leading cause of death among people aged 60 and over and children aged 0 to 14.
Worldwide, WHO describes pneumonia as the single largest infectious cause of death in children, accounting for 14% of all deaths of children under 5 in 2019.
Tanda radang paru-paru: what are the symptoms?
According to the NHS, symptoms of pneumonia can start suddenly or gradually over a few days. They can include:
- a cough, sometimes with yellow or green phlegm;
- shortness of breath;
- a high temperature;
- chest pain, which may come and go or happen when breathing or coughing;
- an aching body and feeling very tired;
- loss of appetite;
- wheezing; babies may also make grunting noises;
- confusion, which is common in older people.
Because confusion is common in older people with pneumonia, new confusion or breathlessness in an older relative should always be taken seriously. For fever in general, see our guide to demam.
What causes pneumonia?
According to the NHS and WHO, pneumonia is usually caused by:
- bacteria; WHO notes that Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in children, followed by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib);
- viruses; respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral cause in children;
- another infection such as flu, RSV or COVID-19, which can lead to pneumonia;
- rarely, a fungal infection;
- something getting into the lungs, such as food or liquid (aspiration pneumonia).
According to the NHS, you are more likely to become seriously ill if you are over 65 or have heart disease or a long-term lung condition, and babies and young children are also at higher risk. WHO adds that in children, poor nutrition, indoor air pollution, crowded homes and parental smoking increase the risk.
Pneumonia, bronchitis or a cold?
A cough and fever can come from many illnesses. This table, based on NHS information, shows how pneumonia differs from more common chest and nose infections:
| Common cold (selsema) | Chest infection / bronchitis | Pneumonia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Nose and throat | Large airways | The lungs themselves (air sacs) |
| Typical symptoms | Runny or blocked nose, sore throat, sneezing | Chesty cough with mucus, wheezing, shortness of breath | Cough, shortness of breath, high temperature, chest pain, feeling very unwell |
| Usual course | Better in 1 to 2 weeks | Better in 7 to 10 days; cough can last up to 3 weeks | Most people better in 2 to 4 weeks; some need hospital |
See our guides to selsema and batuk and kahak. A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks with weight loss or night sweats can also be a sign of TB; see our guide to tibi.
How is pneumonia treated?
According to the NHS:
- pneumonia caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotics;
- if you are given antibiotics to take at home, finish the whole course, even if you start to feel better, and contact your doctor if you do not feel better after 2 to 3 days;
- most people get better in 2 to 4 weeks, depending on their symptoms.
Hospital treatment may be needed if you are over 65, have heart disease or a long-term lung condition, are very unwell, are not getting better after antibiotics, or if a baby or young child has pneumonia. In hospital, treatment may include antibiotics, sometimes steroids, and oxygen to help you breathe. A chest X-ray and blood tests may be done.
What can you do at home?
The NHS recommends:
Do:
- rest until you feel better, and stay at home if you have a high temperature;
- drink plenty of fluids;
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen (if you have been told you can) for pain or a high temperature;
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, throw tissues away quickly, and wash your hands regularly.
Don't:
- take cough medicine; coughing helps your body get rid of the infection;
- smoke.
How can you prevent pneumonia?
Several vaccines help protect against infections that cause pneumonia:
- Pneumococcal and Hib vaccines. In Malaysia, both are part of the free National Immunisation Programme for babies. The government portal lists the pneumococcal vaccine as preventing lung infections.
- Flu vaccine, which the NHS recommends during pregnancy, for adults over 65, and for people with some long-term conditions.
- COVID-19 vaccine for people at higher risk, and RSV vaccines for some older adults and in pregnancy, according to the NHS.
Ask your doctor which vaccines are right for you, especially if you are over 65 or have a long-term condition. Stopping smoking also lowers your chance of getting pneumonia, and WHO notes that good nutrition and reducing indoor air pollution and parental smoking help protect children.
When is pneumonia an emergency?
Get an urgent doctor's appointment, according to the NHS, if:
- you have had a cough for up to 3 weeks;
- you are coughing up yellow or green phlegm;
- you have chest pain that comes and goes, or happens when breathing or coughing;
- you feel short of breath.
Call 999 or go to the emergency department if:
- you are struggling to breathe, choking, gasping or unable to speak;
- you have pale, blue or blotchy skin, lips or tongue;
- you are coughing up blood;
- you suddenly feel confused;
- you cannot wake your baby, or they feel floppy.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does pneumonia mean (pneumonia maksud)?
Pneumonia, called radang paru-paru or jangkitan paru-paru in Malay, is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The tiny air sacs in the lungs fill with pus and fluid, which makes breathing painful and reduces the oxygen your body can take in.
What are the symptoms of pneumonia (tanda radang paru-paru)?
Symptoms can start suddenly or over a few days and include a cough, shortness of breath, a high temperature, chest pain, an aching body, feeling very tired and loss of appetite. You may wheeze, and babies may make grunting noises. Older people often become confused.
Is pneumonia serious?
Many people recover at home in 2 to 4 weeks, but pneumonia can be serious. In Malaysia it was the second leading cause of death in 2024, and the leading cause among women, people aged 60 and over and children aged 0 to 14. Babies, people over 65 and people with heart or lung conditions are most at risk.
Is pneumonia contagious?
The germs that cause pneumonia, such as flu viruses, RSV and COVID-19, can spread from person to person through coughs and sneezes. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, throw it away quickly, and wash your hands regularly to reduce the spread.
How is pneumonia treated?
Pneumonia caused by bacteria is usually treated with antibiotics. Finish the whole course even if you feel better, and contact your doctor if you do not improve after 2 to 3 days. Rest, fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen help. People who are very unwell may need hospital treatment with oxygen.
Should I take cough medicine for pneumonia?
No. The NHS advises not taking cough medicine for pneumonia, because coughing helps your body get rid of the infection. Rest, drink plenty of fluids, and take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain or a high temperature if you have been told you can.
How can I prevent pneumonia?
Vaccines help: the pneumococcal and Hib vaccines are part of Malaysia's free National Immunisation Programme for babies, and flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended for people at higher risk. Stopping smoking, good hand hygiene and good nutrition also lower the risk.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Health supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
